Ultra-Thin Longpass and Shortpass Filters

Ultra-Thin Longpass and Shortpass Filters are designed and constructed out of ultra-thin, flexible polymers and dyes. These filters are scratch insensitive and as durable as most industry hard oxide coatings. Comprised of hundreds to thousands of polymeric and dyed sub-layers, these filters can achieve high wavelength selectivity across the visible and near-infrared spectrum. Due to the low cost, low weight, and thin and flexible nature, these filters are perfect for high volume consumable applications such as vision and electronics or point of care devices for small and compact diagnostics equipment.

Key Features

✔ Flexible Material Design

✔ 350nm to 1600nm Spectral Range

✔ Notch, Edge, Longpass, Shortpass, and Bandpass Filter Design Capabilities

✔ Multi-Notch and Multi-Bandpass Filters Available

✔ Scratch Insensitive

✔ OD 2 Absolute Design, OD 4 Blocking Achievable

✔ >90% Achievable Transmission

✔ Ultra-thin Design (200-500µm Thickness)

Technical Diagrams

RHCP - Right-Handed Circular Polarization

	Traditional Filter	Hard Coated Filter	Ultra-Thin Filters
Substrate:	Stack of Glass, Metal, Plastic	Single Piece of Glass	Stack of Ultra-Thin Polymers
Transmission (VIS only):	75% (approx.)	>90%	>90%
Clear Aperture:	>80%	>80%	>90%
Thickness:	5mm	>1mm	200 - 500µm
Blocking, Optical Density:	>OD 4 average	>OD 6 absolute	>OD 4 average
Temperature Stability:	Medium	High	Medium
Cut-on Steepness:	>3%	<1%	2%
Cut-on Tolerance:	>3%	<1%	2%
Price:	$$	$$$	$

Figure 1: Comparison of a Traditional Filter, Hard Sputtered Filter, and an Ultra-Thin Filter

Figure 2: Design and Construction of an Ultra-Thin Filter

FAQ's

What are Ultra-Thin Filters?

Ultra-Thin Filters are comprised of all aspects of hard, glass filters combined with a flexible polymer material. Flexible filters are lighter in weight, thinner in size, and allow for a moderate level of flexibility to conform to concave or convex surfaces, all while maintaining optical performance of industry standard glass filters.

How are Ultra-Thin Filters manufactured?

Ultra-Thin Filters are manufactured with a unique process combining features from plastic extrusion and fiber drawing processes.

What are the advantages of Ultra-Thin Filters?

Able to conform to both flat and curved substrates
Simple cutting on customer site using scissors, blades, or lasers
Ultra-thin for compactness and minimized optical path length without a need for separate mounts
Simple cutting to complex shapes and small dimensions down to 0.5mm
Shatter-free all-plastic design
Can be made from very flexible (<100µm) to relatively rigid (~500µm)

Are there any disadvantages of Ultra-Thin Filters?

Operating temperature limited to room temperature ±30°C
Only suitable to low and average power applications
Plastic degradation with elongated exposure to intense UV light or heat, although filters are made of optical-grade polymers used in solar industry too
Slightly higher wavefront error compared to hard oxide filters: more rigid filters (200 - 500µm) providing less error than more flexible ones (<200µm)

What is the easiest way to customize the size of a Ultra-Thin Filters?

The easiest way to customize the size of a Ultra-Thin Longpass Filters is by using a CO₂ laser, precision knife, sharp scissors, or sharp razor blades depending on the size and shape of the filter.

How should I clean a Ultra-Thin Filters?

The same cleaning instruction for polymer optical components can be used on Ultra-Thin Filters. Using deionized water, water/soap, only certain chemicals, not all solvents, and preferably abrasion-free solutions are recommended.

How can I mount Ultra-Thin Filters?

Ultra-Thin Filters can be mounted using UV-curable (or regular) optical adhesives. Optically clear adhesives, such as 3M OCA series, can be laminated on filters and have the ability of manually using a roller with soft surface for application.

Are these filters available in OEM quantities?

Yes, but only for certain designs and wavelength ranges. The manufacturing technique is still relatively new, but volume requests are welcome. Please contact us today to discuss these capabilities.

What wavelengths are available?

The Ultra-Thin Filters are a visible design featuring cut-on wavelengths of: 450nm, 500nm, 550nm 600nm, 650nm, and 700nm.

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