Abstract

Optical microresonators are of interest for low-threshold microlasers and LEDs and for studies of quantum-electrodynamic modification of spontaneous emission. As the optical mode volume of a microresonator approaches a cubic wavelength, the number of modes interacting with the optically active spectral region in the microresonator approaches unity. This can result in a single lasing mode within the spectral gain width and in very strong coupling between the optical field and the gain medium. Very-high-Q optical microresonators with strong optical confinement to the gain region can be obtained by using the whispering-gallery modes located around the edge of a disk or cylinder. Microlasers based on these resonators have previously been demonstrated in semiconductor systems.¹² Polymer-microsphere lasers have also been demonstrated.³

© 1995 Optical Society of America