The invention relates to an optical, integrated alignment device for accurately
aligning and efficiently coupling energy between in-plane optical devices. A semiconductor
substrate is etched to include a groove for an optical fiber and a lens for passing
an optical signal from a cut fiber to a photodetector. The etched semiconductor
substrate may be used to pass an optical signal from a surface light emitting device
to a cut fiber. The end of the optical fiber is cut at a slant that redirects an
optical signal from the fiber through the lens or vice-versa. The lens focuses
the optical signal onto a target.