Disclosed is a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) structure including: a first waveguide with a first main body and a first end portion, which is tapered; and a second waveguide with a second main body and a second end portion, which has two branch waveguides that are positioned adjacent to opposing sides, respectively, of the first end portion of the first waveguide and that branch out from the second main body, thereby forming a V, U or similar shape. The arrangement of the two branch waveguides of the second end portion of the second waveguide relative to the tapered first end portion of the first waveguide allows for mode matching conditions to be met at multiple locations at the interface between the waveguides, thereby creating multiple signal paths between the waveguides and effectively reducing the light signal power density along any one path to prevent or at least minimize any power-induced damage.