Abstract: This invention concerns a method and apparatus for manufacturing a sheet and a two-dimensional matrix of plastic optical fibers. The fibers may be of the step-index or graded-index type. Co-extrusion through a specially designed die is used to produce a sheet composed of a fiber array. The fiber sheet (ribbon) can be used for transmitting optical signals. These arrays may also be stacked and fused at high temperatures to form the two-dimensional matrix required for many applications such as large area image transfer. In addition, a high-speed, continuous manufacturing method is disclosed to produce a massive two-dimensional matrix of fibers. The method of manufacture permits high quality image transfer at low manufacturing cost in a wide array of geometries.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method of sighting and a sighting apparatus which can operate during the day and/or night. The subject device can be used on projectile type weapons such as guns and archery products. The subject method and device can be utilized with these various weapons such that a user can use the weapon during the day and/or night and sight under essentially all lighting conditions.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method and apparatus for manufacturing a sheet and a two-dimensional matrix of plastic optical fibers. The fibers may be of the step-index or graded-index type. Co-extrusion through a specially designed die is used to produce a sheet composed of a fiber array. The fiber sheet (ribbon) can be used for transmitting optical signals. These arrays may also be stacked and fused at high temperatures to form the two-dimensional matrix required for many applications such as large area image transfer. In addition, a high-speed, continuous manufacturing method is disclosed to produce a massive two-dimensional matrix of fibers. The method of manufacture permits high quality image transfer at low manufacturing cost in a wide array of geometries.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method of sighting and a sighting apparatus which can operate during the day and/or night. The subject device can be used on projectile type weapons such as guns and archery products. The subject method and device can be utilized with these various weapons such that a user can use the weapon during the day and/or night and sight under essentially all lighting conditions.

Abstract: A class of polycyclic aromatic compounds containing at least two fused rings, is used to produce very bright liquid or plastic scintillators. When a member of this class, such as pyrene, is added at high concentration to a liquid or polymeric organic solvent, scintillation light output may be increased by between 40 and 100% as compared to existing commercial scintillating compositions. These new bright scintillator compositions can be used in scintillating optical fibers and plates made therefrom. These new scintillating optical fiber plates are particularly useful for diagnostic medical X-ray detection, and superior spatial resolution particle detection and measurement of high energy particles and radiation.

Abstract: A new scintillating optical fiber is used in an array as a scintillator plate for imaging with high energy radiation, particles and the like. The scintillating optical fiber has an inner plastic core fiber which is transparent to visible radiation and has an index of refraction of about 1.45 or greater. The inner plastic core fiber has a plastic cladding material which has an index of refraction less than that of the inner plastic core fiber. The inner plastic core fiber contains a polymeric matrix material; a metal moiety; and an organic fluorescent material. The scintillator plates are useful in producing high efficiency and high resolution radiographic systems for x-ray medical diagnosis or non-destructive inspection as well as non-destructive inspection with thermal neutrons.