Patent ID: 6487351
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: C03B,G02B

Abstract:
A fiber optic faceplate for coupling with optical sources or detectors, the optical sources or detectors being arranged in a two-dimensional array, each of the sources or detectors having a pixel area precisely located at a predetermined x-y coordinate spaced at an equal distance from neighboring pixel areas, the faceplate comprising:a plurality of drawn and fused optic fibers and interstitial fillers, each of the optic fibers being positioned at a corresponding position to the pixel areas of the optical sources or detectors, the optic fibers being drawn to an outside diameter corresponding to the spacing distance between the predetermined x-y coordinates, the interstitial fillers being located at each interstitial space between the optic fibers and having an outside diameter corresponding to the space between the optic fibers to maintain the optic fibers in an aligned position as they are drawn.