A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is a semiconductor-based laser diode that emits a highly efficient optical beam vertically from its top surface. VCSELs differ from other common semiconductor optical sources such as Edge Emitting Lasers (EEL) that emit light from the side and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) that emit light from all directions. VCSELs technology  brings together the advantages of low cost and optical efficiency within a small footprint.

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