Method of making flexible optical fiber bundle

摘要

A bundle of optical fibers each covered by an acid-soluble borosilicate glass is treated with an acid solution, with an alkali solution, and then with an acid solution to completely remove the acid-soluble glass from the middle portion between the end portions of the optical fiber bundle. A plastic material is charged into the interstices among the fibers at the boundary portions between the middle portion and the end portions. These interstices are free of any insoluble residue of the acid-soluble glass. A reinforcement is formed around the periphery of at least a part of the boundary portions by covering the periphery with a flexible plastic material or by winding a linear member around the periphery.