Method for producing an image dissector

Claim 1

A method of producing an image dissector comprising the steps of: (a) providing a single rectangular cross-section glass rod having a core of optical fiber with a thin layer of acid-soluble glass adjacent only one side surface or only two opposite surfaces thereof, and thermally forming the thus-coated glass rod using a heating element; (b) arranging a plurality of the formed glass rods of step (a) in a matrix configuration to form an optical conduit by placing the acid-soluble glass coated side surface of each of said individual coated rods in parallel planes with respect to each other; (c) thermally forming the matrix configuration of rods of step (b) using a heating element thereby fusing the rectangular rods together into a unitary body; (d) shielding one end of the fused body of step (c) with an acid resistant material, then dissolving and removing the thin layers of said soluble glass by subjecting the fused, shielded body to an acid solution, and separating the acid-treated portion of the conduit into a plurality of ribbon-shaped layers having the adjacent uncoated glass rod surfaces fused to each other; and (e) selectively arranging the ends of the layers of step (d) in a straight line which corresponds to the arrangement in the matrix end of the body and binding the thus arranged layers to each other forming an image dissector having one end in a straight line configuration and the other end thereof in a matrix configuration.

Claim 2

A method of producing an image dissector comprising the steps of: (a) providing a single rectangular cross-section glass rod having a core of optical fiber with a thin layer of acid-soluble glass adjacent only one side surface or only two opposite surfaces thereof, and thermally forming the thus-coated glass rod using a heating element; (b) arranging a plurality of the formed glass rods of step (a) in a matrix configuration to form an optical conduit by placing the acid-soluble glass coated side surface of each of said individual coated rods in parallel planes with respect to each other; (c) thermally forming the matrix configuration of rods of step (b) using a heating element thereby fusing the rectangular rods together into a unitary body; (d) shielding one end of the fused body of step (c) with an acid resistant material, then dissolving and removing the thin layers of said soluble glass by subjecting the fused, shielded body to an acid solution, and separating the acid-treated portion of the conduit into a plurality of ribbon-shaped layers having the adjacent uncoated glass rod surfaces fused to each other; and (e) selectively arranging the ends of the layers of step (d) in a straight line which corresponds to the arrangement in the matrix end of the body and binding the thus arranged layers to each other forming an image dissector having one end in a straight line configuration and the other end thereof in a matrix configuration.