Abstract: An optical coupler for withdrawing light from an optical fiber includes first and second movable members on which are mounted a plurality of bending posts offset longitudinally relative to one another. A retaining post, offset longitudinally from the bending posts, has a groove therein so that an optical fiber can be wrapped therearound. Thereafter, the first and second members are moved towards each other such that the bending posts interleaf and bend the optical fiber in a plurality of positions causing light to be emitted from the optical fiber at bent portions thereof, which light is detected by optical detectors located behind the bending posts.