Imaging and Illuminating Fiber Optics

doi:10.1117/3.1445658.ch30

Book: Understanding Fiber Optics, Fifth Edition

Author(s): Jeff Hecht

Published: 2015

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.1445658.ch30

Abstract

Communications and sensing were latecomers in the world of fiber optics. The early developers of fiber optics were interested in transmitting images through bundles of fibers. Fibers developed for imaging differ greatly from those designed for communications because different considerations affect performance. This chapter is about fiberoptic imaging and the related field of illumination. Some fiber-optic illumination uses bundles of fibers to deliver light, but much illumination is with single fibers. This chapter covers these diverse noncommunication applications of fiber-optic devices in medicine, industry, and military systems.