Method of making alignment grooves in an optical connector support member

A method for making a part having at least one feature formed thereon, comprising the steps of:

• partially etching the at least one feature in a monocrystalline substrate corresponding to the at least one feature in the part to form a template;
• creating an inverse replica from said template;
• separating said inverse replica from said template;
• bonding material to said inverse replica in regions corresponding to the at least one feature;
• and
• using said inverse replica as a pattern for making the part, the at least one feature in the part being deeper than said at least one feature in said monocrystalline substrate.

A pattern for making an optical connector support member, comprising:

• an inverse replica of a monocrystalline substrate having at least one feature partially etched thereon;
• said inverse replica having at least one ridge formed thereon corresponding to said at least one feature;
• and
• material bonded on said at least one ridge such that the support member made from said inverse replica has at least one feature formed therein corresponding to said at least one feature etched in said monocrystalline substrate, the at least one feature in the support member being deeper than said at least one feature in said monocrystalline substrate.