In the short space of 15 years since their first demonstration, quantum cascade lasers have become the most useful sources of tunable mid-infrared laser radiation. This Letter describes these developments in laser technology and the burgeoning applications of quantum cascade lasers to infrared spectroscopy. We foresee the potential application of quantum cascade lasers in other areas of chemical physics such as research on helium droplets, in population pumping, and in matrix isolation infrared photochemistry. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.