Optical combiner and splitter

An optical power combiner, or splitter, is formed from a first substrate and a second substrate, each substrate having a substantially planar joining surface, at least one substrate having a plurality of waveguide channels formed such as by etching, the plurality of waveguide channels coupled to a waveguide channel combiner having a plurality of waveguide channel apertures, the optical combiner having a single channel aperture on an opposite side from the plurality of waveguide channel apertures, the single channel aperture coupled to a single waveguide channel of zero or greater length, and to an edge opposite the plurality of waveguide channels.