Systems and methods for processing optical signals

A method of manufacturing an optical device, comprising:

• forming a preform having a plurality of functional layers separated by a plurality of buffer layers;
• optically patterning each of the functional layers to have a plurality of signal processing regions, wherein each of the signal processing regions is patterned by the optically patterning to perform at least one optical function;
• and
• selecting an index of refraction profile for each of the plurality of signal processing regions such that, when a first plurality of optical fibers is optically interfaced with a first end of the optical device and a second plurality of optical fibers is optically interfaced with a second end of the optical device, optical signals from the first plurality of optical fibers are mapped by the optical device to the second plurality of optical fibers according to a predefined mapping scheme,
• wherein the optically patterning is based on the selecting, wherein the selecting and the optically patterning are performed such that the optical device maps a first optical fiber of the first plurality of optical fibers to a second optical fiber of the second plurality of optical fibers that is not aligned with the first optical fiber such that an optical signal from the first optical fiber passes through the optical device and is received by the second optical fiber.