A folded cavity laser for generating a laser beam, includes a substrate provided with a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR); an active medium formed above the DBR for amplifying the laser beam; a first and a second mirrors formed on sides of the active medium, respectively, for making a horizontal cavity and for reflecting the amplified laser beam to the DBR; and a microlens, formed on the substrate opposite the DBR, for making the amplified laser beam astigmatic after passing therethrough.