A filter's bandwidth decreases with thickness, in accordance with Bouger's law. So by varying filter thickness, you can selectively modify the spectral responsivity of a sensor to match a particular function. Multiple filters cemented in layers give a net transmission equal to the product of the individual transmissions. At International Light, we've written simple algorithms to iteratively adjust layer thicknesses of known glass melts and minimize the error to a desired curve.
Filters operate by absorption or interference. Colored glass filters are doped with materials that selectively absorb light by wavelength, and obey Bouger's law. The peak transmission is inherent to the additives, while bandwidth is dependent on thickness. Sharp-cut filters act as long pass filters, and are often used to subtract out long wavelength radiation in a secondary measurement. Interference filters rely on thin layers of dielectric to cause interference between wavefronts, providing very narrow bandwidths. Any of these filter types can be combined to form a composite filter that matches a particular photochemical or photobiological process.
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