摘要:
In embodiments of the invention, a plastic optical fiber (202,302,402,502) is bonded to a high temperature distal part (206,306,406,506,600) to form a thermally robust illumination probe. The distal part is short in length, is made of a high temperature material(s), has a proper shape for guiding light in a desired application, and may be coated with a reflective coating (512) to ensure that the light rays trapped within the part do not escape when the side of the part is in contact with high refractive index or absorptive materials. The distal part (506) may be made of high temperature material(s) such as high temperature plastic rods, glass optical fibers, and so on. The distal end may be tapered or sculpted to a desired configuration. The plastic optical fiber and the high temperature distal part may be joined, using an optical adhesive (204,304,404,504), inside a steel cannula (508), a plastic hub (510), an optical connector, etc.