Optical waveguides – Optical fiber bundle – Fiber bundle plate
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-04-17
Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Optical fiber bundle
Fiber bundle plate
C385S115000, C385S116000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219483
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an optical device and an imaging apparatus using the same.
BACKGROUND ART
Known as an optical member for transmitting an optical image is one in which a plurality of optical fibers are arranged parallel to each other and integrally formed. Also, an optical device in which one of end faces of the above-mentioned optical member is cut perpendicular to the optical axis, whereas the other end face is cut obliquely with respect to the optical axis, is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. SHO 60-194429. Such an optical device can transmit an optical image incident on the above-mentioned one end face while enlarging (or reducing) it to a given magnification in a specific direction.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
However, the above-mentioned optical device has been problematic in that, if the angle formed between the above-mentioned other end face and the optical axis is made smaller in order to enhance the magnification, the output image emitted from the other end face becomes unclear. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical device which can yield a vivid output image.
For achieving the above-mentioned object, the optical device of the present invention comprises a first optical member, composed of a plurality of optical fibers arranged parallel to each other and integrally formed, having a first end face and a second end face which intersect an optical axis at respective angles of &agr;
1
,&bgr;
1
; and a second optical member, composed of a plurality of optical fibers arranged parallel to each other and integrally formed, having a third end face intersecting an optical axis at an angle of &agr;
2
and a fourth end face parallel to the third end face; wherein the second end face and the third end face are in contact with each other; wherein the above-mentioned &bgr;
1
is smaller than the above-mentioned &agr;
2
; and wherein an angle &thgr;
1
formed between the optical axis of the first optical member and the optical axis of the second optical member is an angle of difference between &bgr;
1
and &agr;
2
.
Since the second optical member having the configuration mentioned above is disposed in contact with the second end face of the first optical member, the direction of emission of the optical image emitted from the fourth end face of the second optical member approximates the normal direction of the fourth end face. As a consequence, even when the angle formed between the second end face and the optical axis is quite small, a vivid optical image can be obtained from the fourth end face.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3043910 (1962-07-01), Hicks, Jr.
patent: 5940565 (1999-08-01), Sugawara
patent: 6038360 (1999-08-01), Sugawara
patent: 60-194429 (1985-10-01), None
patent: 8-286048 (1996-11-01), None
Sugawara Takeo
Suzuki Makoto
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Palmer Phan T. H.
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