Abstract: In the present invention, profiling of the end facet of an optical waveguide reduces the amount of reflected light propagating in the waveguide. In a conventional waveguide, the effective reflectivity experienced by light at a facet is determined by the modal content of the light and the refractive index of the waveguide (core and cladding) and other material at either side of the dielectric interface, which constitutes the facet. In the present invention, depending upon the modal content of the light, the waveguide dimensions and the refractive indices at the dielectric interfaces, we adjust the profile of the facets so that it is no longer planar and so substantially reduce the amount of reflected light propagating back along the waveguide. This reduction in “effective reflectivity” can be due to an increase in the loss experienced by any reflected light or due to an increase in the amount of light transmitted.