The present disclosure relates to optical waveguide termination devices. In some embodiments, an optical waveguide termination device is coupled to an end of an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide termination device is a tapered structure. In various embodiments, an optical absorption rate of the tapered structure is increased to enhance a termination efficiency. The optical absorption is increased by highly-doped material, multi-layer structure, different cladding, and periodic structure. The enhancement of the termination efficiency benefits size reduction of the tapered structure.