Custom Optical Filter Process

Designing a fluorescence-based system often requires custom optical filters to meet precise system requirements, balancing speed, performance, and budget. While catalog filters may be convenient, custom coatings provide long-term value by ensuring the exact features your system demands from the outset. IDEX Health & Science offers a structured, collaborative customer journey for developing these filters, supporting both one-off systems and full-scale OEM production.

The process begins with sharing preliminary system requirements, including light sources, detectors, fluorophores, and optical layout. This information allows our engineers to optimize spectral performance and guide filter specifications while ensuring manufacturability and yield. Using simulated optical response data, customers can model their system performance before approving final designs and receiving a detailed quotation.

Once the order is placed, filters are fabricated on large substrates and diced to customer sizes, allowing flexibility during prototyping without requiring additional coating runs. Each filter undergoes thorough inspection to guarantee high quality and consistent performance, with traceability enabling fast issue resolution and adjustments if needed.

Finally, production considerations are incorporated early to ensure scalability and reliable delivery for high-volume applications. By viewing the entire system holistically—rather than evaluating filters in isolation—IDEX Health & Science ensures optimal integration with fluorophores, light sources, and detectors. This structured approach helps customers achieve faster, more reliable, and cost-effective outcomes while leveraging the benefits of precision-engineered, custom optical filters.