A means for optically coupling a semiconductor laser to an optical fiber is disclosed. In one embodiment, a volume phase holographic element is disposed on a light-emitting surface of a semiconductor laser. The volume phase holographic element acts as an aberration-corrector for a lens that is disposed between the semiconductor laser and the optical fiber. In this way, an inexpensive lens that is not aberration free can be used. In some embodiments, the volume phase holographic element converts a Gaussian light beam emitted by the semiconductor laser into an annular beam that is more suitable for long distance transmission in multimode fibers.