Room temperature continuous-wave (CW) operation is the crucial milestone that promotes a semiconductor laser from an object of research to a device for the world of technology. To achieve this, it is important to increase the maximum CW operating temperature, and to decrease the electrical injected power. The work presented in this thesis investigates these two points to enhance the performance of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) emitting at lambda~9µm.Waveguide optimisation has been performed on GaAs-based QCLs, to reduce their threshold current and to improve their efficiency. Owing to waveguides with AlGaAs or GaInP cladding layers, new record performances have been obtained for these type of lasers.Selective current injection, realised by proton implantation, is used on GaAs-based QCLs to reduce their operating current and to improve their thermal properties. This technology has been experimented on InP-based QCLs.The benefit of a thick electroplated gold layer, deposit on the top of the ridge devices to improve the heat dissipation, has been also studied. The performances of the two QCLs materials are compared and their future development perspectives are discussed.
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