Abstract: An optical reflector for a polymeric waveguide mounted on a generally planar substrate is formed by a method that includes sequentially irradiating overlapping zones of a polymeric ridge using a series of intermittent laser beam flashes directed normal to the substrate. Each flash is selected to be effective to remove a layer of the ridge to a predetermined depth. Each zone has a linear leading edge and is displaced relative to the leading edge of the immediately preceding zone by a distance corresponding to the predetermined depth. Furthermore, each succeeding zone overlaps the leading edge of the preceding zone. It is surprisingly found that flashes cooperate at the leading edges to form a smooth, oblique surface that, when coated with a reflective metal film, is suited for reflecting a light signal between a path normal to the substrate and a waveguide path parallel to the substrate.

Abstract: An optical coupling arrangement comprising: an optical laser emitter (4); an optical fiber (8); mounting means (10, 12, 14) for mounting the laser relative to the optical fiber so as to couple into the optical fiber light emitted by the laser; sensing means (11, 18, 24) for sensing the level of a predetermined proportion of light in the optical fiber; and piezoelectric moving means (10, 14) for moving the laser in orthogonal directions responsive to the sensing means so as to the increase coupling into the optical fiber of light emitted by the laser. The sensing means and the piezoelectric moving means thus form a closed, auto-alignment feedback loop which moves the laser relative to the optical fiber so as to compensate for movement between the laser and the optical fiber, thereby ensuring maximum coupling efficiency between the laser and the optical fiber.