The present invention relates to a device for passively aligning at least one substrate-carried optical fiber with at least one optical device. The substrate is patterned with a buried etching stop layer. The substrate is then etched to provide a pattern of U-grooves whose depths correspond to the thickness of material that overlies the etching stop layer and whose positions on the substrate are aligned relative to the optical device. The optic fiber is disposed and fixed in the U-groove. The invention also relates to a device produced by means of said method.