Optical fiber image transmission technology is irreplaceable in the field of optical imaging. In recent years, with the release of downstream application demand, the global optical fiber image transmission market has maintained a growth trend.

Optical fiber light cone, also known as fiber optic taper, is a representative rigid optical fiber image transmission component. Optical fiber faceplate is formed by the regular arrangement and fusion of hundreds of millions of micron-level optical fibers. Fiber optic taper is made by reheating and stretching the optical fiber faceplate.

According to the "2024-2029 Optical Fiber Light Cone Industry Market In-depth Research and Investment Prospect Forecast Analysis Report" released by the New Thinking Industry Research Center, fiber optic tapers have the function of image magnification or reduction and can transmit two-dimensional images, mainly used for CCD and CMOS coupling. Fiber optic tapers are key devices for realizing digital processing of low-light night vision images, featuring concentrated light energy, high coupling efficiency, good stability, and high resolution. Terminal applications involve medical imaging, civil displays, scientific research, nuclear explosion diagnosis, criminal investigation, national defense, and military industries, among others.

The principle of optical fiber image transmission technology is based on a large number of highly integrated optical fibers, utilizing the principle of total internal reflection of photons in the fibers to change their nature from light transmission to image transmission. Optical fiber image transmission technology is irreplaceable in the field of optical imaging. In recent years, with the release of downstream application demand, the global optical fiber image transmission market has maintained a growth trend. As a representative optical fiber image transmission component, fiber optic tapers have also seen an expanding market space.

The development of optical fiber tapers in China began in the 1970s. Currently, the production process of optical fiber tapers is relatively mature, allowing customization of parameters such as dimensions, end face diameter, taper ratio, and fiber diameter based on user needs.

Optical fiber image transmission technology has high barriers, especially for military-grade high-standard optical fiber image transmission core technology, with no more than five global manufacturers mastering this technology. As one of the optical fiber image transmission components, fiber optic tapers also face high technical and research barriers. Currently, relevant enterprises in China include Guangzhou Hongsheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., Shanxi Great Wall Low Light Level Night Vision Technology Co., Ltd., and China Building Materials Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (controlled by China Building Materials Academy).

In recent decades, China has achieved multiple research results and technological patents in the field of optical fiber tapers, including "Optical Fiber Taper Drawing Technology and Equipment," "High Coupling Short Taper Ratio Optical Fiber Taper Preparation Technology," and "Quantum Dot-Doped Optical Fiber Taper Manufacturing Technology for Fluorescence Enhancement and Mixing."

Industry analysts from New Thinking indicated that fiber optic tapers can magnify/reduce and transmit images, exhibiting good stability and concentrated light energy, with broad application prospects. China has a long history of research on fiber optic taper technology. With technological breakthroughs, the application of fiber optic tapers is gradually expanding from scientific research to civilian scenarios. In the future, with in-depth research and upgraded demand, fiber optic tapers will continue to be optimized in terms of performance, materials, and preparation processes.