Method of assembling a gradient index lens array having reduction properties

Claim 1

A method of assembling a plurality of gradient index optical fibers into a lens array comprising a first and second row of fibers capable of transmitting an image of an object at an object plane onto an image plane at a magnification other than unity comprising the steps of: determining the relative orientation and length of said first and second row of fibers with respect to each other and with respect to the object and image planes, said orientation resulting in a fan-fold configuration of said fibers, forming a plurality of grooves in a first generally rectangular binding member, each groove adapted to seat an individual fiber of said first row in their previously determined relative orientations, each groove having a length which increases from the centermost groove out to both ends of the member, forming a plurality of grooves in a second generally rectangular binding member, each groove adapted to seat an individual fiber of said second row in their previously determined relative orientations, each groove having a length which increases from the centermost groove out to both ends of the member, progressively deepening the depth of the grooves on said first and second member in a direction extending from a first of said entrance and exit face of the completed lens to the other face wherein, when said fibers are seated in their respective grooves, said first and second rows are tilted so as to adjoin each other at one face of the array while separated from each other at the other array face placing gradient index optical fibers of approximately equal length into the grooves of said first and second members, the fiber length being such that the fibers extend beyond the ends of the grooves, adhesively seating the optical fibers into the grooves, bonding said first member to said second member to form a lens array, and abrading and polishing the entrance and exit faces of said array so as to reduce the fiber lengths to said predetermined values and to achieve relatively smooth convex entrance and exit faces.

Claim 2

A method of assembling a plurality of gradient index optical fibers into a lens array comprising a first and second row of fibers capable of transmitting an image of an object at an object plane onto an image plane at a magnification other than unity comprising the steps of: determining the relative orientation and length of said first and second row of fibers with respect to each other and with respect to the object and image planes, said orientation resulting in a fan-fold configuration of said fibers, forming a plurality of grooves in a first generally rectangular binding member, each groove adapted to seat an individual fiber of said first row in their previously determined relative orientations, each groove having a length which increases from the centermost groove out to both ends of the member, forming a plurality of grooves in a second generally rectangular binding member, each groove adapted to seat an individual fiber of said second row in their previously determined relative orientations, each groove having a length which increases from the centermost groove out to both ends of the member, progressively deepening the depth of the grooves on said first and second member in a direction extending from a first of said entrance and exit face of the completed lens to the other face wherein, when said fibers are seated in their respective grooves, said first and second rows are tilted so as to adjoin each other at one face of the array while separated from each other at the other array face placing gradient index optical fibers of approximately equal length into the grooves of said first and second members, the fiber length being such that the fibers extend beyond the ends of the grooves, adhesively seating the optical fibers into the grooves, bonding said first member to said second member to form a lens array, and abrading and polishing the entrance and exit faces of said array so as to reduce the fiber lengths to said predetermined values and to achieve relatively smooth convex entrance and exit faces.