  Whispering-gallery microcavity laser possesses ultralow threshold, whereas
convenient free-space optical excitation and collection suffer from low
efficiencies due to its rotational symmetry. Here we analytically study a
three-dimensional microsphere coupled to a nano-sized scatterer in the
framework of quantum optics. It is found that the scatterer is capable of
coupling light in and out of the whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) without
seriously degrading their high-Q properties, while the microsphere itself plays
the role of a lens to focus the input beam on the scatterer and vice versa. Our
analytical results show that (1) the high-Q WGMs can be excited in free space,
and (2) over 50% of the microcavity laser emission can be collected within less
than ${1}^{\circ}$. This coupling system holds great potential for low
threshold microlasers free of external couplers.
