Abstract: An optical coupling comprising: (a) a housing having first and second ends and having an optical axis, the first end having a first cavity for receiving an optical component, the second end having a second cavity for receiving a single mode fiber along the optical axis; and (b) a section of a multimode fiber disposed within the housing and along the optical axis between the first and second cavities, the multimode fiber having a first fiber end and a second fiber end, the first fiber end interfacing with air, the second fiber end being polished to optically couple with the single mode fiber through physical contact.