The invention described here is an improved fiber optic probe (10). The tip ofthe probe (10) is made from a transparent fill material (18) that is connectedto the end (14) of a conventional optical fiber (12). The optical fiber (12)is tapered, the fill material (18) is connected thereto, and typically extendsoutwardly from the fiber (12) as though it is a continuous part of the fiber(12). The outer diameter of the fill material (18) is preferably essentiallythe same as the optical fiber (12). The fill material (18) may contain light-scattering elements that disperse light as it exits the fiber (12).
