Graded index Fabry-Perot optical filter device

Abstract

A Fabry-Perot filter device comprising a pair of low index substrates having a refractive index of less than 2.4 and mounted in parallel relationship so as to present facing sides to each other in an optical path. A coating is placed on the facing sides of each of said low index substrates, the coating having an increasing index of refraction away from the sides from about that of the substrate to above 4.0 such that the index increases in increments of from at least 2 steps to continuously. The total coating thickness is on the order of the light wavelength or more. Means are also provided to adjust the distance between the two faces, at least from a distance of from substantially less than a desired wavelength to at least one-half of the desired wavelength.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.