Numerical Methods for Optical Interference Filters

Abstract

We present the physics behind general optical interference filters and the design of dielectric anti-reflective filters. These can be anti-reflective at a single wavelength or in an interval. We solve the first case exactly for single and multiple layers and then present how the second case can be solved through the minimisation of an objective function. Next, we present several optimisation methods that are later used to solve the design problem. Finally, we test the different optimisation methods on a test problem and then compare the results with those obtained by the OpenFilters computer programme.