<p>A multicore collimator collimates light signals transmitted by respective cores of a multicore fiber. An array of gradient-index lens includes a plurality of individual gradient- index lenses corresponding to respective cores of the multicore fiber. The plurality of gradient-index lenses extends through a lens array body between an input end and an output end thereof and has a lens-to-lens spacing that is larger than the core-to-core spacing of the multicore fiber. A taper at the input end of the array of gradient-index lenses provides a tapered transition between the core-to-core spacing of the multicore fiber and the lens-to-lens spacing of the array of gradient-index lenses. The array of gradient-index lenses is configured to collimate the light signals outputs from the coupler, and to provide the collimated light signals as an output at the output end of the array of gradient-index lenses.</p>