Method and apparatus for improved fiber optic light management

A fiber optic probe assembly, comprising:

• a first fiber including an end face having a first shape;
• and
• a second fiber including an end face having a second shape;
• the first fiber and second fiber being parallel to each other at their end faces;
• and
• the second shape providing an internally reflective surface for directing the field of view associated with the second fiber toward the first fiber.

A fiber optic assembly having a common axis for delivering and collecting light, comprising:

• a light delivering fiber having a first filter at its end face;
• a light collecting fiber having a second filter at its end face and mounted parallel to the light delivery fiber;
• wherein the first filter is operative to reflect delivered light through its side wall and to allow collected light to pass through to the light collecting fiber;
• and
• wherein the second filter reflects collected light along the axis of the light collecting filter.

A fiber optic assembly having a common axis for delivering and collecting light, comprising:

• a light delivering fiber having a first filter at its end face;
• a light collecting fiber having a second filter at its end face and mounted parallel to the light delivery fiber;
• wherein the first filter is operative to pass delivered light and to reflect collected light to the second filter;
• and
• wherein the second filter reflects collected light along the axis of the light collecting filter.

A fiber optic probe assembly using a common aperture for delivering and collecting light, comprising:

• a central fiber having a flat end face at its distal end;
• and
• a plurality of fibers surrounding the central fiber and having a shaped end face at their distal ends;
• wherein the plurality of fibers are parallel to the central fiber at their distal ends;
• and
• wherein the shaped end faces provide an internally reflective surface for steering the fields of view associated with the plurality of fibers through the side wall of the plurality of fibers and through the end face of the central fiber.

A fiber optic probe assembly for side delivery and collection of light, comprising:

• a first fiber having a shaped first end face;
• and
• a second fiber having a shaped second end face and being parallel to the first fiber;
• wherein the shaped first end face and the shaped second end face direct light toward a common region.

A method for fabricating a fiber optic probe assembly, comprising the steps of:

• forming a bundle of fibers including a center fiber surrounded by a ring of fibers;
• fusing the bundle of optical fibers together;
• shaping the bundle of fibers to form a pencil tip;
• flattening the probe tip so that the center fiber has a flat end face.

A fiber optic probe assembly, comprising:

• a first fiber including an end face having a first shape;
• the first fiber having at least one delivery optical axis along which light is delivered;
• and
• a second fiber including an end face having a second shape;
• the second fiber having at least one collection optical axis along which light is collected;
• and
• the collection optical axis and delivery optical axis drawn into convergence by means of a refractive surface.