Position is Performance: Rethinking Optical Filter Integration

Optical filters are often specified based on their spectral performance, yet their placement within an optical system can have an equally significant impact on overall system performance. This presentation explores how beam geometry (cone half-angle, CHA), angle of incidence (AOI), and positioning within the beam path influence the behavior of interference filters and the resulting optical performance.

Through practical examples from imaging, fluorescence, and laser-based systems, attendees will see how filter performance depends on where the filter is positioned within the optical system. The talk highlights common design pitfalls, discusses key trade-offs between optical performance and system constraints, and provides practical guidelines for integrating optical filters into optical systems.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of why successful filter selection extends beyond coating specifications and why filter placement should be considered early in the optical system design process.

About the presenter
Kathrin Callaghan, Ph.D., is the senior product line manager for optical filters at Edmund Optics Ltd., UK. She has over a decade of postdoctoral and professional experience in life sciences and optical technologies. Callaghan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemical sciences from the University of Salford, UK and a doctorate in drug design and biophysics from the University of Salford, UK.