Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for storing and transporting bags containing pet waste, and for storing and dispensing individual waste bags for use, An embodiment of the waste bag carrier includes a main compartment for storing filled bags of pet waste. The main compartment can be removably sealed by a lid, which when closed, contains the odor from the pet waste. The lid includes a compartment with a bag dispenser and a port for removing individual unused bags. The carrier is made of an odor resistant, crushable, and easy to clean material. Other embodiments include a reversibly collapsible main compartment for ease of transport and storage. In such embodiments, the main compartment can be fully collapsed for storage or fully or partially extended to contain waste bags.

Abstract: An optical device and a method of using an optical filter are provided. The optical device includes an optical filter and a narrowband optical source. The optical filter has a refractive index that varies along a length of the optical filter. The narrowband optical source is in optical communication with the optical filter and is configured to generate light having a wavelength at or in the vicinity of at least one of a wavelength corresponding to a local transmission maximum and a wavelength corresponding to a maximum slop of the group index spectrum of the optical filter.

Abstract: An optical device and a method of using an optical filter are provided. The optical device includes an optical filter and a narrowband optical source. The optical filter has a refractive index that varies along a length of the optical filter. The narrowband optical source is in optical communication with the optical filter and is configured to generate light having a wavelength at or in the vicinity of at least one of a wavelength corresponding to a local transmission maximum and a wavelength corresponding to a maximum slop of the group index spectrum of the optical filter.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an optical device and a method of use is provided. The optical device can include a fiber Bragg grating and a narrowband optical source. The narrowband optical source can be configured to generate light. A first portion of light can be transmitted along a first optical path extending along and through the length of the fiber Bragg grating at a group velocity. The light can have a wavelength at or in the vicinity of a wavelength at which one or more of the following quantities is at a maximum value: (a) the product of the group index spectrum and a square root of the power transmission spectrum, (b) the slope of a product of the group index spectrum and one minus the power transmission spectrum, and (c) the slope of a product of the group index spectrum and the power transmission spectrum.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an optical device and a method of use is provided. The optical device can include a fiber Bragg grating and a narrowband optical source. The narrowband optical source can be configured to generate light. A first portion of light can be transmitted along a first optical path extending along and through the length of the fiber Bragg grating at a group velocity. The light can have a wavelength at or in the vicinity of a wavelength at which one or more of the following quantities is at a maximum value: (a) the product of the group index spectrum and a square root of the power transmission spectrum, (b) the slope of a product of the group index spectrum and one minus the power transmission spectrum, and (c) the slope of a product of the group index spectrum and the power transmission spectrum.

Abstract: A polarization controller is provided. The polarization controller includes a hollow-core photonic-bandgap fiber, wherein at least a portion of the hollow-core photonic-bandgap fiber has a longitudinal axis and is twisted about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Pop-up cleaning heads of the type used in intermittently operated water delivery systems for cleaning pools and the like are provided with a decorative cover, removably attached to the upper surface of the pop-up cleaning head and extending beyond the edge of the cleaning head to overlie the top of the sleeve in which the cleaning head reciprocates. The decorative cover bears indicia and coloring on its upper surface selected to match the appearance of the pool floor surrounding the water delivery system.