Optical Filter Basics: Center Wavelength & Bandwidth
Understanding the terminology used to describe optical filters is key to using them effectively. Today we’ll cover two terms that help define the operational range of a bandpass filter:
- Center Wavelength (CWL): the arithmetic mean of the cut-on and cut-off of a filter
- Bandwidth (FWHM): the width of the band from cut-on to cut-off (also known as full width at half of maximum transmission)
Both Center Wavelength and Bandwidth are crucial for accurately specifying the transmission characteristics of bandpass filters. Understanding these parameters helps in selecting the right filter for your specific application needs.
To learn more about the world of optical filters, download Chroma Technology’s comprehensive Handbook of Optical Filters for Fluorescence Microscopy for more detailed information including a comprehensive glossary!
About Chroma Technology
Chroma Technology is a leading manufacturer and OEM supplier of high performance optical filters used in a wide range of applications, including health care, biomedical research, remote sensing, machine vision, and aerospace. Chroma offers an extensive selection of optical filter sets and filter accessories, as well as custom solutions tailored to customer-specific needs.
For more information or a quotation for this or other Chroma products, contact IL Photonics.