US Patent 10962720 3D funnel photonic structure for fiber to waveguide coupling

An optical apparatus for coupling an optical fiber to a waveguide is disclosed. The optical apparatus can comprise a funnel coupler having an orifice configured to receive an optical fiber. The funnel coupler can mechanically support the optical fiber when received in the orifice. The funnel coupler can guide the optical fiber to a coupling end of the funnel coupler and a waveguide disposed adjacent the coupling end of the funnel coupler. One or more of the funnel coupler or the waveguide can be configured to optically couple the optical fiber and the waveguide when the optical fiber is received in the orifice.