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 μm) structures, and is well suited for use in micro-optical mechanical systems for analysis of particles or fluids. Here, we investigate spectra of intracavity polystyrene spheres. Lasing threshold, single-mode operation, and multimode operation are all studied. Transverse mode separation in the multimode regime is found to be effective for sizing of the spheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]