Fiber optic probes utilizing GRIN lenses for spatially precise optical spectroscopy
First Claim
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1. A fiber optic probe assembly having a distal sampling end and a proximal end, said probe comprising:
- (a) a front GRIN lens having a distal end, a proximal end, a central axis, a length and a transverse dimension;
(b) at least one collection GRIN lens having a distal end, a proximal end, a central axis, a length and a transverse dimension, the distal end of the at least one collection GRIN lens in optical communication with the proximal end of the front GRIN lens,(c) a collection optical fiber having a distal end, a proximal end a central axis and a transverse dimension,the proximal end of at least one of the collection GRIN lenses being in optical communication with the collection optical fiberthe central axis of the collection optical fiber at its distal end being parallel to the central axis of the front GRIN lens, andthe transverse dimension of the collection optical fiber at its distal end being within the footprint of the front GRIN lens; and
(d) a light delivery optical fiber having a distal end, a proximal end and a central axis, its central axis at its distal end being parallel to the central axis of the front GRIN lens and its transverse dimension at its distal end being within the footprint of the front GRIN lens.
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Abstract
The invention provides improved fiber optic probe assemblies which utilize a configuration of gradient index (GRIN) lenses to deliver light to a focal point and collect light for analysis from the same focal point. Also provided are methods for manufacturing the probe assemblies and related methods of spatially precise spectroscopy using the probe assemblies.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A fiber optic probe assembly having a distal sampling end and a proximal end, said probe comprising:
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(a) a front GRIN lens having a distal end, a proximal end, a central axis, a length and a transverse dimension; (b) at least one collection GRIN lens having a distal end, a proximal end, a central axis, a length and a transverse dimension, the distal end of the at least one collection GRIN lens in optical communication with the proximal end of the front GRIN lens, (c) a collection optical fiber having a distal end, a proximal end a central axis and a transverse dimension, the proximal end of at least one of the collection GRIN lenses being in optical communication with the collection optical fiber the central axis of the collection optical fiber at its distal end being parallel to the central axis of the front GRIN lens, and the transverse dimension of the collection optical fiber at its distal end being within the footprint of the front GRIN lens; and (d) a light delivery optical fiber having a distal end, a proximal end and a central axis, its central axis at its distal end being parallel to the central axis of the front GRIN lens and its transverse dimension at its distal end being within the footprint of the front GRIN lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A fiber optic probe assembly having a distal sampling end and a proximal end, said probe comprising:
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(a) a front GRIN lens having a distal end, a proximal end, a central longitudinal axis, a length and an transverse dimension; (b) at least one collection GRIN lens having a distal end, a proximal end, a central axis, a length and a transverse dimension, the distal end of the at least one collection GRIN lens in optical communication with the proximal end of the front GRIN lens; and (c) a collection optical fiber having a distal end, a proximal end, a transverse dimension and a central axis, the proximal end of at least one of the collection GRIN lenses being in optical communication with the collection optical fiber, the central longitudinal axis of the collection optical fiber at its distal end being parallel to the central axis of the front GRIN lens, and the transverse dimension of the collection optical fiber at its distal end being within the footprint of the front GRIN lens. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification