Patent ID: 7076136

Claim:
A method for attaching an optical fiber to a waveguide formed on a PLC, said method comprising the steps of: securing at least one joint element to a first surface of the PLC, said joint element having a beveled surface such that a gap is formed between the joint element and the first surface of the PLC, said gap being adjacent to an end face of the waveguide, said waveguide end face extending in a plane that includes a transverse surface of the joint element to define therewith a first mating surface; securing the optical fiber to a support member such that an end face of the optical fiber extends in a plane that includes a transverse surface of the support member to define a second mating surface therewith; aligning the waveguide end face with the optical fiber end face; applying an adhesive to an interface defined between the first and second mating surfaces so that the first and second mating surfaces are fixed together, whereby adhesive that would otherwise enter an optical path located between the waveguide end face and the optical fiber end face is diverted into said gap.