Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for transferring light between a source (30) of light and a receiver (60) of light potentially having relative motion therebetween precluding physical contact. In its simplest form, the present invention uses one or more looped optical waveguides (40) clad or coated to guide light along the waveguide (40). The waveguide (40) is uncoated or unclad along a window or a portion (44) of the periphery of the waveguide (40). Once the light source (30) is coupled into the end of the waveguide (40), light may be emitted from the window (44) and transferred to the receiver (60). An optical slip ring 80 of the present invention comprises one or more optical fiber waveguides (40) attachable by means of an index matching medium (130) to an optically transparent ring (50). The ring (40) is illuminated by light that is emitted through a window or a portion 44 of the periphery of each waveguide (40).