In example implementations of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), the VCSEL includes a p-type distributed Bragg reflector (p-DBR) layer and a p-type ohmic (p-ohmic) contact layer adjacent to the p-DBR layer. The p-DBR layer may include an oxide aperture and the p-ohmic contact layer may have an opening that is aligned with the oxide aperture. The opening may be filled with a dielectric material. A metal layer may be coupled to the p-ohmic contact layer and encapsulate the dielectric material.