A method for creating a master and for generating an optical waveguide therefrom. The method includes creating a waveguide master having the geometrical form of at least one optical element formed therein; and generating an embossed optical waveguide from the master, the embossed optical waveguide being a negative of the master, the embossed optical waveguide having an optical element formed therein which corresponds to and is a negative of the geometrical form of the optical element formed in the master, the embossed optical waveguide being formed of a polymer material having a first index of refraction, wherein the optical element is formed in the polymer material and creates a local modification of the refractive index of the polymer material.