Photonics module apparatus

A laser (15) is mounted on a planar surface of a monocrystalline silicon mounting member (12). A spherical lens (20) is mounted in a monocrystalline silicon cover member (13) which, when abutted and registered to the mounting member (12), aligns the spherical lens with the laser so that the output light can be projected along a precise predetermined path. The spherical lens (20) is mounted in a first V-shaped groove (31) which is made in the cover member by masking and etching. A second V-shaped groove intersects the first groove and defines a V-shaped edge in one side of the first groove. The spherical lens is then seated in the first V-shaped groove such that it bears against two points of the V-shaped edge and against one side wall (35) of the first V-shaped groove. A second lens (19) is mounted in the cover member in the same manner as the first lens and directs laser light from a rear facet of the laser to a mirror 30 and hence to a photodetector (21) mounted in the cover member.