Optically pumped InAs quantum dot microdisk lasers

We have achieved lasing in InAs quantum dot embedded GaAs microdisks under optical pumping. Above the lasing threshold, a drastic increase of emission intensity is accompanied by a decrease of the spectral linewidth of the wh ispering gallery modes. The laser light is linearly polarized. The polariza tion direction is parallel to the disk plane. The wide gain spectrum of qua ntum dots allows simultaneous lasing in several whispering gallery modes of a microdisk. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)02824- 2].