Vcsel for emitting laser light

A VCSEL for emitting laser light, the VCSEL comprising:

• a main element which has a mesa portion, the mesa portion comprising a stack of different layers stacked in a stacking direction, wherein an emission region is formed on a top surface of the mesa portion, wherein laser light generated in an active layer in the stack emerges from the emission region, wherein electrical contacts for feeding electrical energy into the active layer are provided on the main element, wherein at least one side portion of an electrical contact of the electrical contacts is arranged on a side surface of the main element, wherein the side surface is oriented transversely with respect to the layers.