SAPPHIRE-BASED DELIVERY TIP FOR OPTIC FIBER

摘要

An article of manufacture is provided that includes an optic fiber comprising a core and a cladding surrounding the core and a sapphire tube bonded to the optic fiber. A total internal reflection surface is positioned such that light guided within the core of the optic fiber reflects off the total internal reflection surface and through the sapphire tube. In other embodiments, a sapphire rod having a total internal reflection surface is fused to an optic fiber comprising a core and a cladding surrounding the core. A glass coating is present on the exterior surface of portions of the sapphire rod such that the glass coating defines an opening that exposes portions of the sapphire rod where light exits the sapphire rod after reflecting off the total internal reflection surface.