OPTICAL COUPLER FOR VERTICAL OPTICAL COUPLING

An optical coupler and a method performed by the optical coupler are described. The optical coupler includes an interlayer dielectric, a waveguide disposed within the interlayer dielectric, and an epoxy disposed on the interlayer dielectric and in the first cavity such that the epoxy defines an upper surface and a bottom surface. The interlayer dielectric includes a first surface and a second surface coupled to the first surface. The first surface and the second surface define a first cavity in the interlayer dielectric. The waveguide emits an optical signal through the first surface. The bottom surface is positioned between the interlayer dielectric and the upper surface. The epoxy directs the optical signal from the first surface to the second surface. The second surface and the epoxy direct a first portion of the optical signal through the upper surface.