Fabrication and experimental observation of monolithic multi-air-core fiber array for image transmission

Two kinds of multi-air-core optical fibers were designed and fabricated by extruding optical grade PMMA pellets and drawing to fiber. The imaging function of the fibers was investigated with home-made specialized microscopy. This new type of fiber provides strong potential for applications in endoscopy, chemical sensing, biosensors, fiber-optical faceplates. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.