Results of a grating-coupled surface emitter (GSE) analysis and a confirming experiment are reported. The GSE consists of two gain sections and three gratings sections that are not necessarily identical. The second-order gratings act both as distributed Bragg reflectors and output couplers via radiation. Thresholds of longitudinal modes are calculated for a symmetrical structure as a function of the two gain section pumping currents, and, for various combinations of pump currents, the near and far fields are compared. The theory is shown to agree qualitatively with an experiment. >