Ultrafast and intense light pulse generation is an underpinning technology that enables numerous applications across the physical, chemical and biological sciences. Although, there have been impressive developments in semiconductor based devices for pulse generation in the optical range, there is a lack of such advances for the terahertz (THz) frequency range, despite proven applications in imaging, metrology and non-destructive testing.

In the ULTRAQCL project we will breakthrough this technological gap, using innovative and novel semiconductor concepts for the generation of intense and short THz pulses. Using THz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) as a foundational device and their unique ultrafast properties, we will achieve pulse generation that is radically beyond the state-of-the-art. The ULTRAQCL project will implement original schemes and apply them to key applications highlighting the potential of ultrafast QCLs as ubiquitous technology for the THz range. These applications will include gas sensing with unprecedented sensitivity and quantum optics for advanced communication systems.