Abstract: Hybrid integration of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and/or other optical device components with silicon-based integrated circuits. A multitude of individual VCSELs or optical devices are processed on the surface of a compound semiconductor wafer and then transferred to a silicon-based integrated circuit. A sacrificial separation layer is employed between the optical components and the mother semiconductor substrate. The transfer of the optical components to a carrier substrate is followed by the elimination of the sacrificial or separation layer and simultaneous removal of the mother substrate. This is followed by the attachment and interconnection of the optical components to the surface of, or embedded within the upper layers of, an integrated circuit, followed by the release of the components from the carrier substrate.