Observation of spontaneous emission microcavity effects in an external-cavity surface-emitting laser structure

We report both enhancement and inhibition of spectrally integrated, cavity-normal room temperature spontaneous emission (SpE) in an external-microcavity surface-emitting laser as the cavity length is varied. The use of an external cavity permits changes in resonator length without altering the semiconductor properties. Measurements of the SpE radiation pattern and spectrum under conditions of enhancement and inhibition are compared to the macrocavity continuum limit. A transition of continuum behavior occurs as the cavity length is increased beyond the spontaneous emission coherence length. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.