Patent ID: 6885808

Claim:
An optical probe for guiding a light wave in a predetermined propagating direction and outputting a predetermined component of the light wave, the optical probe being located in an atmosphere, and the light wave being polarized in a first direction perpendicular to the predetermined propagating direction, comprising: a core configured to transmit the light wave, having a first refractive index, comprising a base portion, and a end portion having a end face and first and second opposed surfaces, the end portion being gradually diminished from the base portion to the end face, the first and second opposed surfaces being extended from the base portion to the end face the first, opposed surface being inclined to the first direction and extended along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the propagating direction and the second opposed surface being inclined to the second direction and extended along the first direction; and a light absorbing layer formed on the first opposed surface of the core, the second opposed surface being exposed to the atmosphere, the light wave guided in the core being confined in the end portion, a part of the light wave being absorbed in the light absorbing layer, and the predetermined component penetrating the end face.