The OPV330 is a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) packaged in a flat lens lateral package. VCSELs offer many advantages in sensing applications when compared to infrared LEDs. These devices require substantially lower drive currents to obtain the same amount of output power as LEDs. This feature allows VCSELs to be used in low power consumption applications such as battery operated equipment. The flat lens packaging allows the device to be used with secondary optics to create custom beam profiles. The OPV330 is optically and spectrally compatible with Optek's standard detector products such as the OP550 series phototransistors, OP530 series photodarlingtons and the OP900 series photodiodes.