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Abstract

An undersea probe which can be attached to marine animals for collecting data as to light intensity and temperature in regions where the marine animals travel. The probe is essentially omnidirectional in its light acceptance capability so that light intensity measurements will not be dependent upon any particular orientation of the probe. The probe includes a central optical fiber containing a fluorescent dye enclosed in a transparent or translucent, protective and fouling-resistant sheath. The optical fiber is provided at its outer end with a fiber terminator which blocks entry of light into the end of the fiber. At its opposite inner end, the fiber is coupled to a light detector in a housing which may be implanted in the marine animal. The optical fiber exhibits radial changes in its refractive index to trap light which approaches the surface of the fiber from inside and which makes a small enough angle with that surface. Such light is propagated along the fiber to the light detector.

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