By photoluminescence and excitation spectroscopy the size dependence o
f the exchange-splitting energy has been determined for CdSe quantum d
ots with sizes below the bulk excitonic Bohr radius and different inte
rdot distances. An enhancement over the bulk value of more than one or
der of magnitude is observed. In ultrathin CdS/ZnS single quantum well
s the exchange splitting is found and explained within the model of a
quantum disc. The relaxation process and the temporal development of t
he polarization degree are studied.