US Patent 10132999 Sacrificial grating coupler for testing v-grooved integrated circuits

Embodiments are directed to a method of forming an optical coupler system. The method includes forming at least one waveguide over a substrate, and forming a sacrificial optical coupler in a first region over the substrate. The method further includes configuring the sacrificial optical coupler to couple optical signals to or from the at least one waveguide, and forming a v-groove in the first region over the substrate, wherein forming the v-groove includes removing the sacrificial optical coupler from the first region.