Towards cavity-QED experiments with silica microspheres

We present experiments performed on highly transparent silica microspheres used as very high Q optical resonators for cavity quantum electrodynamics (CQED) studies. By coupling these microspheres to eroded optical fibers and fiber tips, direct mapping of the whispering-gallery modes has been achieved and the mode quantum numbers have been assessed. Low-threshold whispering-gallery modes lasers made with Nd-doped spheres are described and further CQED projects are proposed.