Ultrahigh-resolution plastic graded-index fused image plates

Fiber-optic imaging systems such as the medical endoscope, the boroscope, the fused-image faceplate, and the image conduit are now made from glass step-index (SI) fibers, and the image resolution of the SI fiberoptic imaging systems is limited to similar to 5 mu m. Ultrahigh-resolution fiber-optic fused-image plates with fiber diameter sizes of 5 and 2.8 mu m were fabricated with plastic graded-index (GRIN) fibers. The measured image resolutions of the 5-mu m SI and GRIN-based guides were comparable, and the resolution of the plastic GRIN image guides improved as the fiber diameter was reduced from 5 to 2.8 mu m. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.