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WPI Technical Theatre Handbook: Dichroic Color Filters
 
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Dichroic Color Filters

A fairly recent development in color filter technology has given the industry the dichroic filter. Dichroic filters (dichros - pronounced ``dye-crows'') are glass filters with thin layers of metallic oxides deposited on them. Dichros transmit certain frequencies of light while reflecting others. Due to their nature, the color of the transmitted light is different from the color of the reflected light, which are both different from the color of the dichro when viewed at a 45 degree angle. While this is an interesting characteristic of the filters that has its own set of applications, the most important thing to remember about dichroic filters is that they will produce a saturated, pure, single wavelength of light when used on an instrument. Dichroic filters can be obtained that produce near-ultraviolet light, which can be used to produce an interesting night-time effect, similar to that produced by a black light. The primary reason for using dichroic filters is for the purity and permanence of color. Plastic gel tends to burn up, especially dark colors. Dichroic filters are expensive, but will not burn up with use, thus making them good investments.


next up previous contents index
Next: Patterns Up: Practical Use of Color Previous: Glass, Gelatine and Plastics   Contents   Index
Steve Richardson 2000-07-06

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