Durable single mode fiber probe with optimized reference reflectivity

An optical coherence tomography system, comprising:

• a fiber-optic sensor system;
• a light source optically coupled to said fiber-optic sensor system;
• and
• a detection system optically coupled to said fiber-optic sensor system,
• wherein said fiber-optic sensor system comprises an optical probe, comprising:
• a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, said sheath defining a lumen therein,
• a single mode optical fiber disposed within said lumen of said sheath such that a portion of said single mode optical fiber that extends beyond said distal end of said sheath, said single mode optical fiber having an end face for transmitting and receiving light, and
• a layer of hardened epoxy encasing said portion of said single mode optical fiber that extends beyond said distal end of said sheath except for said end face,
• wherein said single mode optical fiber has an optical axis extending along a longitudinal direction of said single mode optical fiber, and
• wherein said hardened epoxy is polished at a non-orthogonal angle relative to said optical axis at said end face,
• wherein said non-orthogonal angle is at least 1° relative to a normal to said optical axis at said end face and less than 5° relative to said normal.

A method of producing a probe for a common path optical coherence tomography system, comprising:

• obtaining a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, said sheath defining a lumen therein;
• disposing a single mode optical fiber within said lumen of said sheath such that a portion of said single mode optical fiber extends beyond said distal end of said sheath, said single mode optical fiber having an end face for transmitting and receiving light and an optical axis extending along a longitudinal direction of said single mode optical fiber;
• applying a layer of ultraviolet-light curable epoxy on said portion of said single mode optical fiber that extends beyond said distal end of said sheath;
• exposing said ultraviolet-light curable epoxy to ultraviolet light such that said ultraviolet-light curable epoxy cures to become hardened;
• prior to applying the epoxy, trimming some of said portion of said single mode optical fiber that extends beyond said distal end of said sheath to provide an end face of said single mode optical fiber;
• and polishing said epoxy tip to a non-orthogonal angle relative to said optical axis at said end face, and wherein said non-orthogonal angle is at least 1° relative to a normal to said optical axis at said end face and less than 5° relative to said normal.