An improved transmitting multi-layer thin-film filter.

The angular resolutions of the phase-shifted Rugate thin-film filters, the ultra-narrow bandpass filters, and a cutoff filter-combination device are discussed, and the electric field distributions of the filters are compared. The results show that the three transmitting multi-layer thin-film filters can realize the same angular resolution, but the electric field in the cutoff filter-combination device is the lowest. Because a lower electric-field distribution corresponds to a higher laser-induced damage threshold of the thin films, the cutoff filter-combination device may replace the traditional spatial filters in high power laser systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]