In this paper, we present our recent progress towards the realization of short wavelength intersubband devices with wide band gap II-VI selenide semiconductors. Intersubband electroluminescence at 4.8 mu m was observed in a ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe quantum cascade structure at temperatures up to room temperature. We also developed a new ZnCdSe/MgSe quantum structure with metastable MgSe barriers. Intersubband absorption in the 3-5 mu m range was observed. Calculations suggest that with this structure intersubband transitions as short as 1.55 mu m may be achieved. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.