Fiber optic probe
First Claim
1. A fiber optic probe for use in light scattering measurements, said probe comprising:
- a probe body having an interior and a longitudinal axis;
at least one light-transmitting fiber in said interior, said transmitting fiber having a first optic axis;
at least one light-receiving fiber in said interior, said receiving fiber having a second optic axis; and
coupling means in said interior for holding said transmitting and receiving fibers in a fixed position with respect to each other within said coupler, said coupling means including means for aligning said transmitting and receiving fibers so that, when at least one fiber of said fibers in said coupling means is cut into two portions, each portion having a optic axis, said coupling means furthers alignment of said portions so that said optic axes of said portions approximately coincide.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic probe and optical coupler assembly for light scattering measurements, and a method for making the assembly and aligning a plurality of optical fibers therein. The probe includes a probe body with a window across its tip for protecting the interior, at least one light-transmitting fiber, at least one light-receiving fiber, and (if desired), in-line devices such as filters and lenses positioned in optical communication with the fibers. A fiber optic coupler maintains the relative alignment of the fibers, which can be cut to install filters and other in-line devices. The coupler allows the cut ends to be re-aligned quickly and accurately without the need for time-consuming procedures or costly precision alignment equipment. The probe is simple, rugged, requires no high-precision machining or optical alignment procedures in assembly, and is economical to manufacture.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fiber optic probe for use in light scattering measurements, said probe comprising:
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a probe body having an interior and a longitudinal axis; at least one light-transmitting fiber in said interior, said transmitting fiber having a first optic axis; at least one light-receiving fiber in said interior, said receiving fiber having a second optic axis; and coupling means in said interior for holding said transmitting and receiving fibers in a fixed position with respect to each other within said coupler, said coupling means including means for aligning said transmitting and receiving fibers so that, when at least one fiber of said fibers in said coupling means is cut into two portions, each portion having a optic axis, said coupling means furthers alignment of said portions so that said optic axes of said portions approximately coincide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for making a fiber optic probe for use in light scattering measurements, said method comprising the steps of:
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fixing at least one light-transmitting fiber in a coupler, said coupler having a longitudinal axis so that said transmitting fiber is approximately parallel to said longitudinal axis; fixing at least one light-receiving fiber in said coupler so that said transmitting fiber is approximately parallel to said longitudinal axis; forming a slot in said coupler, said slot passing through at least one of said transmitting and receiving fibers; installing a filter in said slot so that said filter engages a cut end of said at least one fiber; and installing said coupler with said light-transmitting fiber, said light-receiving fiber, and said filter in a housing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification