Patent ID: 8285097

Claim:
An annular side fire optical device for laterally redirecting electromagnetic radiation, the device comprising: a tapered section of silica having a diameter that increases with distance along a longitudinal axis in a direction toward a transmitting end; a conical section of silica adjoining the tapered section of silica and comprising a wall of silica having an interior surface surrounding a conical bore, the conical bore having a diameter that increases with distance along the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the transmitting end; and an annular beveled end surface formed in the wall of silica at the transmitting end, wherein the beveled end surface is angled relative to the longitudinal axis such that electromagnetic radiation propagating along the longitudinal axis through the conical section is reflected by the beveled end surface at an angle that is transverse to the longitudinal axis; wherein: the interior surface of the conical bore is at a first angle to the longitudinal axis; the beveled end surface is angled at a second angle to the longitudinal axis; and the first and second angles are different.