MANUFACTURE OF FLEXIBLE IMAGE GUIDE

摘要

PURPOSE:To obtain an image guide excellent in flexibility by welding only both ends of bundle of an optical fiber, providing the clearances to the intermediate parts of each optical fiber and thereafter spinning it in the low-temp. zone in softening point of glass. CONSTITUTION:Each optical fiber 1 is welded in only both ends of bundle of the optical fiber and the clearances are provided to the intermediate parts of each optical fiber 1. As the definite method, for example, there are a method wherein the intermediate point parts of plural optical fibers 1 are bent and both ends are welded from the side faces and a method providing mutually the clearances by forming the tapers 4 in the intermediate parts of each optical fiber 1. Thereafter the each optical fiber 1 is spun in the low-temp. zone is softening point of glass. Thereby the welding of side faces of the fellow glass can be prevented and an image guide having excellent flexibility can be obtained even if the number of the optical fiber is increased.