Coupling multiple optical channels using a z-block

A method of fabricating an optical apparatus, the method comprising:

• arranging a laser die on a substrate, wherein the laser die has multiple channels each configured to generate a respective optical signal at a respective wavelength;
• arranging a Z-block on the substrate, the Z-block comprising an input surface in a first plane and an output surface in a second plane;
• and
• aligning a multicore optical fiber to the Z-block through a lens,
• wherein a pitch between adjacent channels of the laser die and an angle between the first plane and the second plane are selected to align each optical core of the multicore optical fiber with a respective channel of the laser die.

An optical apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of light-carrying media;
• a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device optically coupled with the plurality of light-carrying media, wherein the WDM device comprises a Z-block having an input surface in a first plane and an output surface in a second plane, wherein a first surface of the Z-block faces the plurality of light-carrying media;
• and
• a lens arranged between the WDM device and a multicore optical fiber, wherein a second surface of the Z-block faces the lens,
• wherein an angle between the first plane and the second plane is non-zero, or wherein the angle is substantially zero and different pairs of adjacent light-carrying media of the plurality of the light-carrying media have a different pitch, and
• wherein each of the plurality of light-carrying media is aligned with a respective optical core of the multicore optical fiber.