A top emitting VCSEL array may be coupled to a separate heat spreading superstate that may be positioned above the apertures of the array and that may be able to transmit the emitted beams through the heat spreading superstate. The VCSEL devices in the array may be controlled by an electrical connection to a pattern of conductive elements positioned in close contact with, but electrically isolated from, the heat spreading superstate. The conductive elements may electrically control one or more of the VCSEL devices to enable sectional control of the light output. The elements may also be arraigned in a ground-signal-ground or coplanar waveguide configuration to improve the frequency response of the array.
