angled such that light propagating along the length from the first end to the second end is redirected to the photo detector in one embodiment the sloping reflective surface 373 403 433 can be angled such that a difference between the angle of the sloping reflective surface 373 403 433 relative to the length of the light pipe and the incident angle of light with respect to a normal to the sloping reflective surface is between about 4 u00b0 and 12 u00b0 if the length of the light pipe is horizontal and the detector faces upwards such an angle e g between about 4 u00b0 and 12 u00b0 represents the incident angle on the detector in one embodiment the sloping reflective surface 373 403 433 can include a total internal reflection surface the sidewalls including the sloping sidewalls can be planar in some embodiments although the shape should not be so restricted the sidewalls and in particular the sloping reflective sidewall can be polished in some embodiments to reduce scattering of light undergoing total internal reflection a reflective coating e g an interference coating or metallization can be used in some embodiments examples of embodiments of optical coupling elements are disclosed in u s application ser no 11 109 210 titled u201c plc for connecting optical fibers to optical or optoelectronic devices u201d which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.