Terahertz (THz) science and technology are widely investigated nowadays. To have a wide spread application, the key components, namely detectors and lasers, must be available, with the following properties: compact, convenient, and mass producible. Unfortunately today’s commercial THz detectors have various drawbacks such as low sensitivity, slow speed, and needing deep cryogenic cooling. THz quantum cascade lasers (QCL) have only been realized in 2002. Though impressive advances in THz QCLs have been achieved, the operating temperature is still in the cryogenic regime. Quantum structures based on semiconductors offer new possibilities. This talk starts with a general overview of various quantum structure THz detectors and then list some applications where THz lasers are needed. I will review the current status of THz QCLs. The main part of the talk is on new directions in using either quantum dots and impurities for new THz lasers with potentially superior performance.

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