Abstract: Methods of fabricating extra-mural absorption elements adapted for incorporation in an image-conducting optical fiber array include fabricating various constituent components to be included in an optical fiber bundle from one or more reducible-ion-containing glasses. Various components fabricated from a reducible-ion-containing glass are selectively exposed to a reducing atmosphere such that they are reduction-blackened prior to at least one heating and drawing step relative to the bundle into which they are to be fusedly incorporated. Such “pre-blackened” components function as extra-mural absorption media throughout the length of an image-conducting optical fiber array and alternatively include fiber claddings and substitutional and interstitial extra-mural absorption elements.

Abstract: A fused optical fiber component having a predetermined profile as viewed into a plane including the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber component is fabricated according to a method including the steps of (i) fabricating a billet including a plurality of fused optical fibers extending along a longitudinal axis of the billet; (ii) positioning a billet-surrounding member over at least a portion of the outer surface of the billet; (iii) heating the billet and billet-surrounding member to a temperature sufficient to fused the billet to the billet-surrounding member and (iv) grinding the billet-surrounding member to the desired profile.