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Reference.org
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser
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<p>The vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL /ˈvɪksəl/) is a type of <a href="/facts/Semiconductor/zFf3mGTE">semiconductor</a> <a href="/facts/Laser_diode/TjHzJteV">laser diode</a> with <a href="/facts/Laser/jk6PTvvT">laser</a> beam emission perpendicular from the top surface, contrary to conventional edge-emitting semiconductor lasers (also called <i>in-plane</i> lasers) which emit from surfaces formed by cleaving the individual chip out of a <a href="/facts/Wafer_(electronics)/lCBJAoUL">wafer</a>. VCSELs are used in various laser products, including <a href="/facts/Computer_mice/fJpa1tUE">computer mice</a>, <a href="/facts/Fiber-optic_communication/dc6S0Hg5">fiber-optic communications</a>, <a href="/facts/Laser_printer/fJ2GrUBj">laser printers</a>, <a href="/facts/Face_ID/puWpdMRS">Face ID</a>, and <a href="/facts/Smartglasses/5e5mRVFu">smartglasses</a>. </p>