interference filter

A filter composed of multiple thin layers of material with varied refractive indices. Based on layer thickness and composition, certain wavelengths of light can be amplified or reduced based on intra-filter reflections. These filters can be long-, short-, or band-pass and are useful for applications such as fluorescence microscopy.

Synonyms: dichroic filter, thin-film filter

See also: filter, fluorescence microscopy, excitation filter, emission filter, bandpass filter, longpass filter, shortpass filter

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Principles of Interference

The addition or subtraction of light waves to produce constructive or destructive results.