Abstract: An optical connection for connecting an active optical device (6,52) or a passive optical device (41,63) to an optical fiber (3), having a thick metal coating (2) deposited circumferentially around the fiber. In this optical connection the device (6,52,41,63) is bonded to the polished endface of the fiber (5), with particular use being made of the thick metal surface (7) on the endface of the fiber. In another embodiment, the optical fiber (3) is etched to form various surfaces (31,32,33) for optical coupling. This etching also allows for accurate passive alignment of an etched active device (52) or a passive device (42,63) with the optical fiber.