An optical fiber imaging system includes an optical fiber bundle including a
plurality
of optical fibers, an elongated housing receiving and at least partially enclosing
the optical fiber bundle therein, and an optical window disposed at an end of the
elongated housing and thereby defining a cavity within the elongated housing next
to the end face of the fiber bundle, the cavity being adapted to retain a substance
of inert chemistry such as index matched oil for suppressing environmental degradation
at the end face of the fiber bundle. The oil is preferably made of silicone petroleum
products with the index of refraction being advantageous to the preferred optical
characteristics of the entire imaging system.
