Abstract: The Stand-Off Fusion-terminated optical interface reduces optical reflections thereby increasing return losses that occur when an optical waveguide, including optical fibers, is interfaced to a bulk media of significantly differing refractive index. A small spacer material, or stand-off, is placed between the optical waveguide and the media. The stand-off is index-matched to the optical waveguide thereby eliminating reflections from this interface. The length of the stand-off is chosen so the reflections from the stand-off/media interface are weakly coupled back to the optical waveguide due to diffraction and attenuation losses within the stand-off. The optical waveguide is then fused to the stand-off by focusing a time variable laser beam at the junction of the optical waveguide and the stand-off.