Optical assembly

An optical assembly comprising: a substrate, having a first planar surface, connected to an optical component having a second planar surface parallel to the first surface and at least one first optical axis; a plurality of optical fiber stubs having a certain diameter and disposed at least partially between the substrate and the optical component; at least one of the substrate or optical component having one or more grooves on the first or second surfaces, with each groove configured to receive one of the plurality of fiber stubs so each of the fiber stubs protrudes a first distance from the first or second surface to space the first surface the first distance from the second surface; and at least one optical conduit having a second optical axis, the optical conduit being disposed on the first or second surface with the second optical axis optically aligned with the first optical axis.