An
optical fiber coupler array capable of providing multiple low loss, high
coupling coefficient interfaces between a predetermined number of low
numerical aperture optical fibers and an optical
waveguide device with at least a corresponding number of
waveguide interfaces. The novel coupler array includes a plurality of coupler inner cores and a plurality of corresponding coupler outer cores, within a medium surrounding each plural
outer core, and also includes a first end for
interfacing with plural optical fibers and a second end for
interfacing with a plurality of
waveguide interfaces of an optical waveguide device. The sizes of the inner and outer cores are gradually reduced from the first end to the second end in accordance with at least one predetermined reduction profile. Various parameters, such as refractive indices and sizes of the inner and outer cores and the medium (as well as the reduction profile) are selected to produce a plurality of low
numerical aperture waveguides at the first end, and a plurality of
high numerical aperture waveguides at the second end, while advantageously minimizing
insertion loss and maximizing the
coupling coefficient at each end. Advantageously, the novel coupler array may be fabricated as an array of individually drawn couplers from multiple parallel fused performs (arranged in a row, or in another geometric cross section). Alternately, the novel coupler array may be fabricated from a single perform (glass or
polymer) embedded with a plurality of parallel inner and
outer core sets.