coupling arrangement turning to fig3 connector 42 is identical in size to connector 30 of fig2 but differs in that it further includes a single faceted reflector 36 a secondary transmission path 33 and an optical window 39 the optical window 39 functions to ensure a clean surface on the reflector 36 and prevents a plume from contaminating the condensing lens 20 as a result of accidental thermal ablation of the connector 39 s metal ferrule 31 or reflector 36 and may be formed of a variety of transmissive materials such as quartz sapphire or diamond the window also has a fiber clearance hole 41 corresponding in size and position to the fiber clearance hole 38 shown in fig2 however after polishing of the fiber following insertion and adhesion or crimping of the fiber or fiber cable both the distal end of the optical window 39 and the distal end of the optical fiber 35 are flush with the distal end of ferrule 31 the reflector 36 is formed on a planar surface of the ferrule 31 surrounds the optical fiber and is displaced far enough from the focal plane 16 to reduce the energy density of the radiant energy incident on the surface to non destructive levels with the secondary transmission path 33 extending from the reflector 36 back through the window 39 so as to provide a path where the focused radiant energy can freely defocus thereby further lowering the energy density the reflector functions to reflect radiant energy that may miss the proximal end of the fiber due to the fiber core being smaller than the focused spot the na of laser being greater than.