High-temperature fiber optic imaging

An experimental demonstration of fiber optic imaging inside a furnace at 1000°C is described, A low-resolution sapphire fiber optic video system was designed, fabricated, and tested for basic performance in a small tube furnace. The imaging fiber bundle was assembled using 100 high-quality sapphire fibers aligned and bonded at each end. Experiments to achieve a high-temperature cladding are described. Reference imaging experiments at room temperature were performed with the sapphire fiber bundle and a commercial glass fiber bundle of comparable sue. Imaging experiments at 1000°C are described and discussed.