Optical image transmitting structure

Claim 1

An optical image transmitting device comprising: means receptive of a plurality of optical images of a common object field for transmitting same to a plurality of separate locations, said means comprising a plurality of elongated optical fibers each having two end portions respectively terminating in a planar end face, each of said optical fibers having a refractive index distribution in each cross-sectional plane in substantial accordance with the equation n N(1-ar2) wherein N represents the refractive index at the center of the optical fiber, n represents the refractive index at a radial distance r from the center of the optical fiber, and a is a positive constant whereby each optical fiber has a light focusing effect, and means arranging one end portion of each of said optical fibers in a bundled together configuration wherein the planar end face of each of said one end portions is positioned to receive one of said optical images and arranging the other end portions of said optical fibers in transversely spaced-apart relationship wherein the planar end face of each of said other end portions is positioned to transmit the optical image to respective ones of a plurality of separate locations and focus the transmitted optical image at said location; and wherein an intermediate longitudinal portion of at least some of said optical fibers extends in a curved direction which has a radius of curvature u selected in accordance with the expression (2au) 1 < R wherein R represents the radial distance from the center to the periphery of the optical fiber.