Patent ID: 6921490

Claim:
A method of forming an optical component, comprising: forming a first mask on an optical component precursor, the first mask including a plurality of waveguide portions each positioned to protect a waveguide region of the optical component precursor where a waveguide is to be formed extending from a common region; forming a second mask on the optical component precursor such that the second mask is at least partially positioned between waveguide portions of the first mask, a resistance of the second mask to etching varying along at least one dimension of the second mask, and the second mask being formed non-simultaneously with the first mask; and etching the optical component precursor with the first mask and the second mask in place on the optical component precursor so as to form the waveguides extending from the common region concurrently with forming a tapered region between the waveguides, the tapered region formed with a thickness that tapers in a direction moving away from the common region.