The linewidth of electrically pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser
s optimized for spectroscopic applications in the near-infrared has been ex
amined in detail. Both a high-resolution scanning Fabry-Perot interferomete
r and a delayed self-homodyne technique mere employed for high-resolution l
inewidth measurement. Record narrow spectral linewidths of 3 MHz were obtai
ned at output powers near 0.8 mW.