Quasi-one-dimensional AlGaAs quantum wires (QWRs) with parabolic heterostructure profiles along their axis were fabricated using metallorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) On patterned (111)B GaAs substrates. Tailoring of the confined electronic states via modification in the parabolic potential profile is demonstrated using model calculations and photoluminescence spectroscopy. These novel nanostructures are useful for studying the optical properties of systems with dimensionality between zero and one. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.