OPTICAL FIBER AND WAVEGUIDE DEVICES HAVING EXPANDED BEAM COUPLING

An optical fiber connector includes a coupler (304) having a waveguide section (308) integrally formed with a fiber attachment section (306). At least one waveguide (312) is disposed in the waveguide section and has a core dimension (312a) that is greater at the end of the waveguide at the fiber attachment section. The fiber attachment section (306) has a first surface and at least one recess (310) formed on the first surface for aligning one or more optical fibers (602) with the at least one waveguide (312,612). In an optical fiber component, an optical substrate has a first end and a second end, and at least one waveguide input at the first end and at least one waveguide output at the second end. An integral input portion of the substrate at the first end has one or more input optical fiber alignment elements and an integral output portion of the substrate at the second end has one or more output optical fiber alignment elements. One or more input optical fibers are positioned in the one or more input optical fiber alignment elements. One or more output optical fibers positioned in the one or more output optical fiber alignment elements.