An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 1.degree./mm to 4000.degree./mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3.degree./mm to 400.degree./mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.

 
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> Optical fibers with reduced splice loss and methods for making same

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