Importance

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Abstract

An improved optical fiber for laterally directing a laser beam having a waveguide including a tip for communicating electromagnetic radiation in a propagation direction to the tip of the waveguide, a transmitting surface on the tip of the waveguide, a reflecting surface on the tip of the waveguide for internally reflecting electromagnetic radiation communicated by the waveguide in a direction lateral to the propagation direction toward a particular area on the transmitting surface, and wherein the particular area and the reflecting surface are disposed so that substantially all electromagnetic radiation reflected by the reflecting surface is incident on the particular area at below a critical angle for transmission through the transmitting surface in the lateral direction. By preventing electromagnetic radiation from being incident on the transmitting surface above a critical angle, the present invention prevents internal reflection off the transmitting surface and improves the efficiency of the laterally directing probe.

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First Claim