Coherent, hollow-core waveguide bundles as a potential tool for transendoscopic infrared imaging

A coherent IR fiber optic bundles for use in IR imaging from 8 to 12 /spl mu/m have been fabricated from rigid hollow glass waveguide arrays. The bore of each hollow glass tube in the bundle has been coated with thin films of metallic Ag followed by AgI for enhanced reflectivity. The coated bundle was characterized for it spectral response, thermal and spatial resolution, sensitivity, linearity and cross talk. Images of different objects with controlled temperatures were taken. In parallel, animal experiments have also started. Lesions were created with a closed loop controlled fiber optics based laser systems and thermal mapping of the irradiated tissue was done through the coherent coated bundle.