GLOSSARY
Filter technology uses its own terms. Below we explain the most frequently used technical terms.
Angular Shift
The shift of a filter’s nominal design wavelength due to an increase of the angle of incidence (AOI) from perpendicular AOI. The shift is always directed towards shorter wavelengths. It is possible to use the following equation to estimate the angle shift of the spectral curve:
λ(θ) = λ0 [1-(sinθ/n*)2]½ where n* = [nL x nH]½
λ0: nominal design wavelength
θ: AOI
nL: refractive index of low index material
nH: refractive index of high index material
Bandpass Filter (BPF)
Optical filter, allowing a specific spectral band to pass. Wavelengths outside the bandpass are rejected.
Band Rejection Filter
Filter, rejecting a specific band of wavelengths.
Bandwidth
Wavelength difference between the two half-maximum points of a bandpass filter. See FWHM.
Beamcombiner
Optical component, combining two beams into one beam.
Beamsplitter (BSP)
Optical component, dividing the incident light into two parts. The transmitted and the reflected light is separated by tilting the splitting surface. The beamsplitter is designed to work at a specific AOI (e.g. 45º).
Blocking Filter
Filter designed to reject the sideband transmission of a primary filter.
Colour Beamsplitter
Beamsplitter separating different colours of light at non-normal incidence.
Cross-Talk
A spurious signal in fluorescence detecting systems arising from spectral areas where both the excitation and emission filter transmit.