Abstract: A filament for use as a feedstock in three-dimensional printing of an optical device has a strand-like structure for continuous feeding into a printing nozzle of a three-dimensional printer. The strand-like structure includes one or more of elongated side-by-side core/cladding sections each having an optically transmissive inner core surrounded by a lower-index optically transmissive outer cladding for corresponding light guiding in the optical device. In embodiments, the core may be a solid material or an air core, and in the case of solid material may include scintillation material or other enhancements. Other variations and specifics are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a waveguiding optical component includes processing a polymer optical material to form a billet having an axis of light transmission and having residual stress maintaining a transverse extent of the billet; placing the billet into a mold, the mold being configured to constrain transverse expansion of the billet according to a desired shape of the waveguiding optical component; and heating the billet in the mold to induce relaxation of the residual stress and corresponding transverse expansion of the billet, thereby forming the billet into the waveguiding optical component with the desired shape. An alternative method begins with a collection of individual canes or fiber segments which are fused during the heating process, bypassing a separate process of forming a billet.

Abstract: A method of making a waveguiding optical component includes processing a polymer optical material to form a billet having an axis of light transmission and having residual stress maintaining a transverse extent of the billet; placing the billet into a mold, the mold being configured to constrain transverse expansion of the billet according to a desired shape of the waveguiding optical component; and heating the billet in the mold to induce relaxation of the residual stress and corresponding transverse expansion of the billet, thereby forming the billet into the waveguiding optical component with the desired shape. An alternative method begins with a collection of individual canes or fiber segments which are fused during the heating process, bypassing a separate process of forming a billet.

Abstract: A wave guide face plate for transmitting an image formed in a scintillating material included as part of a transmitting medium is disclosed. The transmitting medium includes a random distribution of different refractive index regions in two orthogonal dimensions, and an essentially consistent refractive index in a third orthogonal dimension. The third orthogonal direction is aligned with a transmission axis of the wave transmitter extending from an input location to a wave detector location. The transmission efficiency of the wave guide faceplate is improved in situations where the entry angle of the input radiation is different from the axis of the wave transmitter as compared to conventional faceplates.

Abstract: A method of handling mangoes includes exposing the mangoes to an atmosphere that contains one or more cyclopropene compounds, and containing the mangoes in a modified-atmosphere package. The method provides an unexpected improvement in maintaining the optimum ripeness of the mangoes over what would be expected based upon the effects observed when either exposing the mangoes to the cyclopropene compound or containing the mangoes in a modified-atmosphere package in the absence of the other.

Abstract: A wave guide face plate for transmitting an image formed in a scintillating material included as part of a transmitting medium is disclosed. The transmitting medium includes a random distribution of different refractive index regions in two orthogonal dimensions, and an essentially consistent refractive index in a third orthogonal dimension. The third orthogonal direction is aligned with a transmission axis of the wave transmitter extending from an input location to a wave detector location. The transmission efficiency of the wave guide faceplate is improved in situations where the entry angle of the input radiation is different from the axis of the wave transmitter as compared to conventional faceplates.

Abstract: An elongate solar cell, comprising a semiconductor body having two mutually opposed faces, at least one of the faces being an active face for receiving incident light, and two mutually opposed edges orthogonal to the faces, the edges comprising electrical contacts thereon for conducting electrical current generated by the solar cell from the light; wherein the electrical contact to at least one of the edges includes an electrically conductive material that contacts only a fractional portion of the at least one edge of the semiconductor body to improve the performance of the solar cell.

Abstract: Glycol terephthalate polyesters are modified to contain CH.sub.2 --S or CH.sub.2 --N linkages in molecular chains of the polyester, staple fibers of good strength are prepared from the modified polyesters, fabrics are prepared from the fibers and then treated with hypochlorous acid to develop pilling resistance. The treatment cleaves polyester molecules at the CH.sub.2 --S or CH.sub.2 --N links. Precise control is provided by the amount of modifier used and the relative viscosity of the fibers before the treatment.