The present invention relates to a Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) die comprising a VCSEL array configured for flip chip bonding to a substrate with the VCSEL array being designed for emission from a substrate side of the chip, integrated beam shaping optics and electrical contacts including a top surface contact and an etched metal connection through a top mirror structure to a bottom n-mirror, or to an n-doped buffer layer under the bottom n-mirror or to the substrate. The invention further relates to an assembly comprising the above VCSEL die and a photodetector in which the VCSEL die is attached to a circuit board or sub-mount with a solder or bump bonds on the VCSEL die and the photodetector is placed on a same circuit board or sub-mount right next to the VCSEL die.