Abstract: A filter system for reflectively blocking laser radiation in the visible spectrum includes a multilayer interference structure arranged for reflectively blocking a continuous band of wavelengths including the laser radiation and transmitting other wavelengths in the visible spectrum. The filter system is arranged to control transmission of the other wavelengths of the visible spectrum such that the filter system has an essentially neutral transmission color and maximum photopic transmission consistent with the band of wavelengths reflectively blocked.

Abstract: A short-wave-pass optical filter, including a partially absorbing or transparent substrate coated by a set of layers having different quarter-wave optical thicknesses, which is designed to reflect visible radiation of a selected color white transmitting visible radiation and maintaining a neutral color balance. The inventive filter is designed so that the desired reflected color (and the transmitted neutral color balance) is substantially independent of viewing angle (i.e., the incidence angle). In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is composed of UV-absorbing glass, and the coating is substantially a double quarter-wave stack of alternating layers of SiO.sub.2 and TiO.sub.2, TiO or Ti.sub.2 O.sub.3. The reflectance of the inventive filter (as a function of wavelength) is designed to have a ripple in at least one segment of the visible spectrum, but to have no significant ripples in all other segments of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A short-wave-pass optical filter, that includes a partially absorbing or transparent substrate coated by a set of layers having specified quarter-wave optical thickness, and is designed to reflect visible radiation of a selected color while transmitting visible radiation and maintaining a neutral color balance. The coating includes layers having a high refractive index alternating with layers having a low refractive index. The refractive indices and layer thicknesses are selected so that the filter's reflectance spectrum exhibits a ripple over a first segment of the visible spectrum but no significant ripple over a second segment of the visible. The filters may be used as sunglass lenses that have a selected color (such as blue, orange, or violet) when viewed by one other than the sunglass wearer, while permitting the wearer to perceive transmitted light with a correct color balance.

Abstract: A polarization preserving reflector for reflecting an incident beam of monochromatic radiation, said beam having a polarization configuration and an angle of incidence. The polarization preserving reflector comprises a substrate; a highly reflective layer positioned adjacent to said substrate; and at least two thin film optical layers one of which being positioned adjacent to the highly reflective layer, one of the thin film optical layers having a high refractive index and another having a low refractive index, for maintaining the incident polarization configuration while producing a high reflectance upon reflection of the beam therefrom in a wide range of the angle of incidence from approximately zero degrees to 75 degrees.

Abstract: A short-wave-pass optical filter, that includes a partially absorbing or transparent substrate coated by a set of layers having specified quarter-wave optical thickness, and is designed to reflect visible radiation of a selected color while transmitting visible radiation and maintaining a neutral color balance. The coating includes layers having a high refractive index alternating with layers having a low refractive index. The refractive indices and layer thicknesses are selected so that the filter's reflectance spectrum exhibits a ripple over a first segment of the visible spectrum but no significant ripple over a second segment of the visible. The filters may be used as sunglass lenses that have a selected color (such as blue, orange, or violet) when viewed by one other than the sunglass wearer, while permitting the wearer to perceive transmitted light with a correct color balance.