Abstract: An optical fiber waveguide tap handling tray is provided for use with a cable containing a plurality of optical fiber waveguides which are separated from the cable and exposed in a section thereof. The tap handling tray comprises a frame, a clamp for clamping the cable to the frame adjacent the section thereof so that the exposed optical fiber waveguides are thereupon physically secured to and contained within the frame, at least one optical tap secured to the frame for engaging and bending at least one of the plurality of optical fiber waveguides against an optical coupling medium having an index of refraction selected to match the index of refraction of the optical fiber so that light energy may pass through a side of the optical fiber and through the optical coupling medium, and wherein the optical tap defines an obtuse guiding angle arranged to lie in a path with which the fiber may freely be aligned within the frame after the cable has been clamped thereto.

Abstract: An optical fiber waveguide tap handling tray is provided for use with a cable containing a plurality of optical fiber waveguides which are separated from the cable and exposed in a section thereof. The tap handling tray comprises a frame, a clamp for clamping the cable to the frame adjacent the section thereof so that the exposed optical fiber waveguides are thereupon physically secured to and contained within the frame, at least one optical tap secured to the frame for engaging and bending at least one of the plurality of optical fiber waveguides against an optical coupling medium having an index of refraction selected to match the index of refraction of the optical fiber so that light energy may pass through a side of the optical fiber and through the optical coupling medium, and wherein the optical tap defines an obtuse guiding angle arranged to lie in a path with which the fiber may freely be aligned within the frame after the cable has been clamped thereto.