International Quantum Cascade Laser
School and Workshop

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are unipolar quantum optoelectronic devices that exploit optical transitions between engineered electronic states in semiconductor quantum wells. More than thirty years after their first experimental realization, QCLs can be considered as a mature technology: they have already been commercialized by a number of companies, and are core photonic components in a variety of applications such as environmental and security sensing, free-space communications and metrology. QCLs are also an exciting vehicle for the pursuit of fundamental research, including coherent control in condensed matter systems, Mid-IR and THz nanoscopy, mid-infrared quantum optics.

The success of QCLs has also fostered the development of other classes of devices for the mid-infrared and THz region, including Interband Cascade Lasers (ICLs), unipolar quantum photodetectors like QWIPs and QCDs, phase and amplitude modulators. The development of innovative material platforms (like graphene and 2D materials) is an important opportunity for providing such devices with novel functionalities. Furthermore, integration on InP or Si platform will open new possibilities for the development of compact systems for applications.

IQCLSW 2026 will be the 11th conference in this successful series. It will be divided into a school (2 days) and workshop (2-3 days) environment. It will bring together leading international researchers in the field of QCLs, both established and early career, and the programme will consist of a series of presentations spanning all aspects of QCLs, from fundamental physics to the exploitation and applications of this technology. The conference will also cover subjects related to interband cascade lasers, mid- and far-infrared optoelectronics and integration. Key features of the workshop will be international participation, connection to applications, as well as an educational tilt for PhD students.