Optical Filters are used to transmit a
preselected-portion of the light spectrum while rejecting all other
wavelengths. So why would you want to do that? There are a many
applications that use this technology including proximity and gesture sensors,
data transmitters, feedback lasers and optical instruments.
The applications themselves depend on the specific
wavelengths that are being allowed, and which of the wavelengths is being
blocked.
In the UV range (30-400nm), applications include:
- UV-ID, label tracking and barcodes
- optical sensors and instrumentation
- light therapy
and polymer curing
As you move into the visible light (400-700), many
applications want to maximize the light output so none of the wavelengths are
being blocked. Applications that do use optical bandpass filters in these
wavelengths include:
- Biomedical applications
- Environmental testing
- Flame photometry, fluorescence and immunoassays
Into the infrared (IR) wavelengths (700nm+),
applications include:
- Distributed feedback lasers
- Opto-couplers, receivers and transmitters
- Optical, proximity and gesture sensors
All of these optical cut-off filters have
typically relied on traditional coated glass filters which are expensive,
expensive to assemble over the light-sensing electronics and most importantly,
old-fashioned glass filter technology is difficult to miniaturize.
SolEpoxy has recently introduced a revolutionary
chemical filter technology that can be incorporated into our world-class
yellow-resistant OL10-1 optically clear encapsulant.
The advantages of a chemical filters are:
- Can be incorporated into ultra-clear epoxies
- Require fewer process steps (no glass filter fixing)
- Can be made to any shape required (ie. lenses)
SolEpoxy's light filtering technology has excellent
wavelength cut-off performance and a proven track record for many of the
optical electronics applications above.
Learn more about our
optically clear encapsulants products here and contact us for samples!
