An optical device, such as optical coupling devices, optical switches,
optical isolators, optical attenuators, laser diodes, photo diodes are
provided having a substrate with a groove in order to locate a optical
fiber. A lens, such as a graded index lens, is secured to the end of the
optical fiber, with the lens located outside the groove, thereby avoiding
difficulties with axial alignment of the lens caused by the interface of
the optical fiber to the lens. In one implementation, the groove in the
prototype is a V-groove, thereby providing stable positioning of the
optical fiber within the groove.
