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 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.