Optical Filters: Filters Tailored To Your Project

Optical filters improve the performance and accuracy of optical systems by selectively transmitting, reflecting or blocking specific wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths. The filters are critical components in several high-precision applications, including machine vision, spectroscopy, and medical imaging such as fluorescence microscopy.

Find the Right Optical Filter with our selector

Our interactive filter selector helps you narrow down the optimal optical filter based on technical parameters such as wavelength range, center wavelength, bandwidth, filter type, and mechanical size. You can compare different filter models side-by-side and access datasheets, transmission curves, and availability status at a glance. Whether you're working on a new machine vision setup, fine-tuning a fluorescence imaging system, or building a custom inspection device – the right filter is critical for achieving high-contrast, high-precision results.

What Are Optical Filters and Why Are They Essential?

Typically made of glass or plastic, optical filters are an integral part of many applications. Be it polarizing filters for life science applications or bandpass filters for biomedical applications, understanding the characteristics of the filters is essential: Dichroic filters, also known as interference filters, reflect unwanted wavelengths and transmit desired wavelengths, while absorptive filters absorb specific wavelengths.

At Schneider-Kreuznach, we design and manufacture both the mechanics and the coating of our high-quality optical filters. This enables us to produce customized optical filters that meet your exact requirements and guarantee the highest quality standards. Use our filter selector below to find the best option for your application.

How Do Optical Filters Work? The Basic Principles

Optical filters feature materials and coatings with specific transmission and reflection properties. These materials are designed to either transmit certain wavelengths while blocking others or reflect certain wavelengths while transmitting the rest. The design of these filters is based on the principles of interference and absorption, which determine how different wavelengths interact with the filter material.

The Main Types of Optical Filters

Optical filters are precision devices designed to selectively transmit or block specific wavelengths of light. They improve the performance of optical systems by allowing only desired wavelengths to pass while blocking unwanted light. This selective transmission is essential in a wide variety of scientific, medical, and industrial applications. Schneider-Kreuznach offers several types of optical filters that are designed for specific applications:

• Bandpass Filters: Transmit a defined wavelength range
• Narrow Bandpass Filters: Transmit a small defined wavelength range
• SWIR Filters: See the invisible
• Shortpass Filters: Block longwave light down to the cut-off-wavelength
• Longpass Filters: Block shortwave light up to the cut-on-wavelength
• Neutral Density Filters: Reduce brightness without effecting the colors
• Polarizer Filters: Reduce reflections and increases contrast
• Polarizing Film: Film to reduce reflections and increase contrast
• Protection Filters: Protect lenses and sensors against external influences and dirt
• Color Filters: Absorb unwanted wavelengths

Key Advantages of Using our High-Quality Filters

• Reproducibility and Reliability: Rely on the consistent performance of our filters for precise results, even after years.
• Optical precision: Highest flatness and minimal wavefront deformation guarantee images without loss of quality.
• Wide selection: Choose from a variety of filter types and coatings to meet your specific needs.
• Flexible sizes: Our filters are available in a variety of diameters to suit your applications.
• Robust Mechanics: Rely on metal mounts for a durable and reliable filtration solution.
• Highest reproducibility, reliability and excellent image quality.

Markets and Applications of optical Filters

Our optical filters for the industry are used in a wide range of markets and applications, from manufacturing to medical, logistics, inspection and aerospace. If you would like to learn more about the wide range of our optical filters, please visit the following pages to find out, for example, how the filters can impact on production processes or entire logistics chains. Optical filters improve the performance and accuracy of optical systems in many different applications. In fluorescence microscopy optical filters isolate specific fluorescent signals, in spectroscopy optical filters analyze the spectral properties of substances, in medical imaging optical filters improve image contrast and clarity, and in machine vision systems optical filters leverage quality control and inspection processes.