An optical fiber having a reduced cross-sectional region adjacent to its
distal end, which is fused to an optical component, is vibrated, rotating
the optical component to scan a region. The optical component has a back
focal point that is substantially coincident with an effective light
source of the optical fiber, so that the light emanating from the optical
component is either substantially collimated or convergent. The optical
component is either a ball lens, a drum lens, a graded index lens, or a
diffractive optical element. A vibratory node is also made substantially
coincident with the back focal point of the optical component, producing
a compact scanner with extensive field of view. The optical fiber is
preferably reduced in cross-sectional area after the optical component is
fused to the optical fiber, by immersion in a three-layer etch apparatus
having an etch-stop layer, an etch layer, and a solvent layer.