Photonic signals of high bandwidth are input into a winding of optical fiber. The winding of fiber has winds of fiber that are adjacently disposed and that form a substantially linear outer surface of the winding. A series of optical taps are defined in the optical fiber along this surface. The fiber includes an inner core surrounded by an outer layer. The taps comprise a diminished outer layer section of the fiber. It is from these taps that optical energy is released from the fiber.