Method and apparatus for optically coupling an optical waveguide to an optical module

A method for optical coupling of an optical waveguide to an optical unit associated with an optical module, wherein the optical unit has a first optical axis along which light is emitted from or received by the optical unit, and wherein the optical module has a reference geometry that generally defines an axis of symmetry, the method comprising:

• determining a magnitude and direction of an offset between the first optical axis of the optical unit and the axis of symmetry of the reference geometry;
• selecting a coupling element from a plurality of coupling elements, wherein each coupling element has a first face and a second face, wherein the first face faces the optical unit and the second face is coupled to an optical waveguide, wherein
• the coupling element has a center axis,
• the first face of the coupling element has an input/output area with a second optical axis,
• the second face of the coupling element has an input/output area with a third optical axis which runs parallel to the second optical axis and coincides with the center axis, and wherein
• light input along the second optical axis is guided in the coupling element and output along the third optical axis, and vice versa, wherein the magnitude of the offset between the second and the third optical axes of the selected coupling element is essentially equal to the magnitude of the offset between the first optical axis of the optical unit and the axis of symmetry of the reference geometry;
• positioning the coupling element with respect to the optical module so that the center axis of the coupling element coincides with the axis of symmetry of the optical module;
• and
• rotating the coupling element with respect to the optical module until the first optical axis of the optical unit and the second optical axis of the coupling element coincide.