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 fiber-optic imaging systems is limited to ~5 microm. Ultrahigh-resolution fiber-optic fused-image plates with fiber diameter sizes of 5 and 2.8 microm were fabricated with plastic graded-index (GRIN) fibers. The measured image resolutions of the 5-microm 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 microm.
Lee
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Choi
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Walker
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