Method of coating and handling multiple optical components simultaneously

A method of processing a plurality of optical components simultaneously includes to providing a plate structure with first and second opposed plate faces and a plurality of the optical components retained within a sacrificial matrix material. Each optical component includes first and second component faces coinciding with, respectively, the first and second plate faces The matrix and optical-component materials are selected such that the former is soluble in a solvent in which the latter is relatively insoluble. A portion of the matrix material is dissolved is order to recess the matrix relative to at least the first component faces. With a remainder of the matrix retaining the components in their initial spatial relationships, a single, continuous substrate is adhered to a plurality of the first component faces protruding relative to the matrix. The remainder of the matrix material is then dissolved such that the substrate to which the first component faces are adhered retains the optical components.