The operating principle and fabrication of a single-mode, 7 x 7 monolithic star coupler is reported. The device exhibits low excess loss of 014 ± 0-006 dB together with good coup ling uniformity. The mean insertion loss at 1300nm is 8-62 dB with a standard deviation of 0-52 dB. The device is fibre compatible and similar in size to a standard 2 x 2 fused fibre coupler. © 1990, The Institution of Electrical Engineers. All rights reserved.