The present status and research trends in light sources, detectors, and various optical components are described, focusing mainly on those for single-mode fiber systems. Laser-diode and light-emitting-diode sources are described, and their problems and advantages are examined. The features of optical detectors, namely, avalanche and p-i-n photodiodes are discussed. A method of comparing the performance of optical receivers with different detectors, by examining the minimum detectable power at a specified error probability for the received pulses, is presented. Optical components such as optical filters, couplers, dividers, isolators, connectors, and switches are considered briefly. The potential of optoelectronic integrated circuits is discussed. >