Laser submounts with standoff structures

A submount for use in an optical assembly and an optical assembly comprising the submount, a laser diode and a second optical element are provided, where the submount comprises a substrate and a plurality of standoff structures. The standoff structures may be formed by patterned deposition onto the substrate. The substrate and standoff structures may be composed of different materials. Typically, the substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: diamond, diamond-like materials, boron nitride and aluminum nitride. The submount may comprise solder layers adjacent to the standoff structures, which may be greater in height from the substrate than the standoff structures.