Abstract: A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser component operating at a wavelength lying in the range 1.3 .mu.m to 1.55 .mu.m, the component comprising a layer of active material having an injection zone of width that is smaller than the width of the component, said zone emitting radiation when an electrical current is injected therein, the component also comprising an amplifying medium for amplifying the radiation and two mirrors that are reflective at the emission wavelength and disposed respectively above and below the amplifying medium. The amplifying medium includes a circular barrier extending facing the active material, said barrier opposing the passage of current and defining a current-passing channel in its center facing the injection zone, said channel being of a width that is smaller than the width of the injection zone.