Importance

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Abstract

A thin layer of a material having a refractive index that varies non-abruptly between the refractive indices of an optic fiber and a tip element in a laser device significantly reduces Fresnel losses where the optic fiber meets the tip element. The layer is readily created by either an ion beam mixing process or by an ion beam enhanced deposition (IBED) process for forming a layer of varying refractive index and comprising a ceramic material such as silica, very securely bonded into the laser light energy receiving end of the tip element which may conveniently be made of a ceramic material such as YAG, silica or sapphire. Greater utility of such a tip element is realized by providing an ohmic heating layer over a part of the tip element. In another aspect of this invention, the tip element is provided with an additional layer comprising a high temperature melting point material at an energy delivery end, applied either by the ion mixing process or the IBED process, to absorb and convert laser light into thermal energy for localized heating, e.g., to vaporize, cauterize, or coagulate tissues in a surgical procedure.

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First Claim