Multicore optical fibers (MCFs) are single fiber strands created with multiple cores to guide light. MCFs are currently being considered for use in telecommunications, data center communications, and high-performance computing applications. It is believed that spatial division multiplexing with MCFs (i.e., using each core as a separate channel) will enable higher fiber bandwidth and channel density than traditional single-core fibers. While fiber manufacturers are presently developing MCF prototypes, numerous commercialization issues remain, including fiber-to-fiber connectorization and fiber-to-photonics interfacing at the ends of each link. Accordingly, there is a need for new optical coupling systems capable of relaying and transmitting optical signals between MCFs and other optical devices for use with such MCFs.