One aspect of the invention provides an optoelectronics structure including: a substrate defining a trench on a first surface; and a VCSEL structure mounted vertically within the trench of the substrate such that the VCSEL structure emits a laser beam substantially parallel to the substrate. Another aspect of the invention provides an optoelectronics structure including: an fiber guiding substrate defining a trench on a first surface; a VCSEL structure mounted vertically within the trench of the fiber guiding substrate such that the VCSEL structure emits a laser beam substantially parallel to the substrate; and an optical fiber mounted on the fiber guiding substrate substantially coaxial with the laser beam emitted by the VCSEL structure.