Patent ID: 7537394

Claim:
A method for assembling components of an optical assembly, the method comprising: providing a structure for guiding light, the structure having grooves on a coupling side; providing a plurality of optical fibers, each being embedded in a corresponding one of said grooves and having a coupling surface; abutting a first package comprising a plurality of first elements against the coupling side, such that each one of the plurality of first elements comprised in the first package is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of a first group of optical fibers in the plurality of optical fibers; attaching the first package to the structure; abutting a second package comprising a plurality of second elements against the coupling side, adjacent to the first package, and such that: the first and second package are spaced apart by a gap; and each one of the plurality of second elements comprised in the second package is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of a second group of optical fibers in the plurality of optical fibers, the gap allowing a position of the plurality of second elements in the second package to be independent of a position of the plurality of first elements in the first package; and attaching the second package to the structure.