The invention concerns a method of fabricating an NxN optical coupler where N is at least equal to 4, the method being characterised in that it comprises the steps of locating two pairs of optical fibres (1, 2, 4, 5) side by side, applying simultaneous tension and heat to the fibres so as to generate a biconical taper in the fibres so located, and to cause the fibres of each pair to fuse together to form two couplers, displacing one fibre of each pair so that each displaced fibre lies in the position vacated by the other fibre, and generating a second biconical layer in the rearranged fibres so as to fabricate two further couplers.
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