An optical coupler converts a light distribution from a light source into
a small angle distribution that extends over a volume larger than the
variations in the alignment of an optical fiber. In one embodiment, a
diffractive or hybrid diffractive/refractive bifocal lens forms first and
second images of the light source respectively in first and second image
planes. An input face of the optical fiber is between the first and
second image planes and receives light diverging from the first image
plane and light converging toward the second image plane. The net optical
power coupling into the fiber is uniform over a large range of fiber
positions and provides the optical coupler with a relaxed tolerance for
misalignment of the fiber or the light source. The relaxed alignment
tolerance facilitates low cost manufacture of multi-channel optical
transmitters using single-mode optical fibers.