A system is provided for improved coupling of photodetectors to optical demultiplexer outputs, for example an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), using a refractive index matched material. In one embodiment, the system may include an optical demultiplexer including multiple optical outputs corresponding to multiple signal channels and a photodetector array including a plurality of photodiodes aligned with the multiple optical outputs. The system may also include an epoxy disposed within a gap between each of the photodiodes and each of the corresponding optical outputs of the optical demultiplexer. The epoxy may be configured to provide an index of refraction that is matched to the optical demultiplexer.