An optical coupler, the optical coupler being usable with a first optical
fiber and a second optical fiber. The second optical fiber defines a
second fiber coupling section and a second fiber transmitting section
extending from the second fiber coupling section. The second fiber
coupling section defines a radially outwardmost peripheral surface, the
radially outwardmost peripheral surface defining a peripheral surface
coupling portion. The optical coupler includes a coupler first end
section and a substantially opposed coupler second end section, the
coupler first end section defining a first coupling surface. The optical
coupler defines a second coupling surface extending along the coupler
first and second end sections. The first coupling surface is optically
couplable with the first optical fiber and the second coupling surface is
positionable so as to extend substantially parallel to the peripheral
surface coupling portion and to be optically coupled with the peripheral
surface coupling portion. The optical coupler has optical and geometrical
properties such that substantially all the light guided to the first
coupling surface by the first optical fiber is directed towards the
second coupling surface and into the second optical fiber through the
peripheral surface coupling portion so as to be guided into the second
fiber coupling section for transmission into the second fiber
transmitting portion.