Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser cytometer for analysis of cells

This paper constructed a prototype laser cytometer that has the potential to rapidly probe individual cells in large populations. The cytometer is based on a biological microcavity laser technique that employs a vertical-cavity surface-emitting semiconductor to provide gain for light confined by cells. This laser technique has critical advantages over conventional fluorescence detection methods. The microcavity laser provides intense, monochromatic, narrow divergence light signals that are emitted from lasing modes confined by the cell. This cytometer is used in two basic configurations. First, as a probe of individual cells by spectral analysis of cell modes. Second, as scanning cytometer for rapidly probing large numbers of cells by pulse-height spectroscopy.