Strongly-confined quantum wires and quantum dots: From the one-dimensional optoelectronics to the macro-atom

We present recent experiments on strongly confined nanostructures. The role of excitons and free-carriers in the recombination processes are discussed in the light of the confinement-induced enhancement of the exciton binding energy which affects the stability of the hydrogenic particles. Examples of quantum wire electro-optic modulators are given. Finally the strong atomic-like behavior of small quantum dots is demonstrated through the occurrence of Zeeman splitting in the magnetoluminescence spectra.