INJECTION SEEDING OF LASING IN MICRODROPLETS

Injection seeding of lasing has been achieved in both small (similar t o 20-mu m radius) and larger (similar to 35-mu m radius) dye-doped mic rodroplets. Seeding is effective in enhancing the intensity from one l asing mode that normally occurs because of the droplet morphology. Com petition between the seeded mode and unseeded lasing modes that have g ood spatial overlap with the seeded mode prevents lasing on some unsee ded lasing modes. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America