Some embodiments of the present disclosure describe a tapered waveguide and a method of making the tapered waveguide, wherein the tapered waveguide comprises a first and a second waveguide, wherein the first and second waveguides overlap in a waveguide overlap area. The first and second waveguides have a different size in at least one dimension perpendicular to an intended direction of propagation of electromagnetic radiation through the tapered waveguide. Across the waveguide overlap area, one of the waveguides gradually transitions or tapers into the other.