Diffusion-enhanced and desorption-limited growth regimes of Ga-assisted GaAs nanowires were identified. In the latter regime, the number of vertical NWs with a narrow length distribution was increased by raising the growth temperature. The maximum axial growth rate, which can be quantified by the supplied rate of As atoms, is achieved when a dynamical equilibrium state is maintained in Ga droplets i.e. the number of impinging As atoms on the droplet surface is equivalent to that of the direct deposited Ga atoms combining with the diffusing ones. The contribution of Ga diffusion to the wire growth was evidenced by the diameter-dependent NW axial growth rate. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.