INTRACAVITY SPECTROSCOPY IN VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASERS FOR MICRO-OPTICAL-MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

We demonstrate lasing action in a novel microcavity laser device based on vertical cavity surface-emitting laser technology. This laser can be used for intracavity spectroscopy, high contrast imaging of small ( 10 mu m) structures, and is well suited for use in micro-optical mecha nical systems for analysis of particles or fluids. Here, we investigat e spectra of intracavity polystyrene spheres. Lasing threshold, single -mode operation, and multimode operation are all studied. Transverse m ode separation in the multimode regime is found to be effective for si zing of the spheres.