Semiconductor InN nanowire arrays were uniformly assembled into the hexagonally ordered nanochannels of anodic alumina membranes (AAM) through the direct reaction of indium and ammonia. The morphology and microstructures of sample were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scan electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. A broad blue-green photoluminescence (PL) band in the wavelength range of 300-650 nm was observed from the InN nanowires assembly system (InN/AAM). A blue shift of the bandgap emission compared with that of bulk InN might be ascribed to the quantum confinement effect size and the interaction between the ordered InN nanowires and AAM. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.