Multi-directional optical devices are disclosed. The optical device may employ a multiple input/multiple output optical coupling structure to determine propagation direction of received light (in receiver configuration), and/or control the propagation direction of transmitted light (in transmitter configuration). Propagation direction can be determined without the need for moving parts. In accordance with some embodiments, designs of solid-state photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are disclosed herein that utilize NM star couplers to perform Fourier transformations to light traversing between the N ports and M ports such that light arriving at one or more of the N ports is distributed with a linear phase profile across the M ports. The slope of the linear phase profile is dependent on which of the N ports that light was received from. The light exits from waveguides coupled to the M ports at one or more propagation directions dependent on the linear phase profile.

An optical fiber connector and an optical splitter are provided, and pertain to the field of optical communication technologies. The optical fiber connector includes a housing and a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel. The housing encloses the plurality of optical fibers, and end faces at both ends of the optical fibers are exposed outside the housing. A part that is of at least one of the plurality of optical fibers and that is enclosed by the housing is provided with a grating, and when at least two optical fibers in the at least one optical fiber are provided with gratings, the gratings on the at least two optical fibers are different from each other. A grating on at least one optical fiber is provided on a part that is of the optical fiber and that is enclosed by the optical fiber connector.