  Detection and characterization of individual nano-scale particles, virions,
and pathogens are of paramount importance to human health, homeland security,
diagnostic and environmental monitoring[1]. There is a strong demand for
high-resolution, portable, and cost-effective systems to make label-free
detection and measurement of individual nanoparticles, molecules, and viruses
[2-6]. Here, we report an easily accessible, real-time and label-free detection
method with single nanoparticle resolution that surpasses detection limit of
existing micro- and nano-photonic devices. This is achieved by using an
ultra-narrow linewidth whispering gallery microlaser, whose lasing line
undergoes frequency splitting upon the binding of individual nano-objects. We
demonstrate detection of polystyrene and gold nanoparticles as small as 15 nm
and 10 nm in radius, respectively, and Influenza A virions by monitoring
changes in self-heterodyning beat note of the split lasing modes. Experiments
are performed in both air and aqueous environment. The built-in self-heterodyne
interferometric method achieved in a microlaser provides a self-reference
scheme with extraordinary sensitivity [7,8], and paves the way for detection
and spectroscopy of nano-scale objects using micro- and nano-lasers.
