The substrate is a special type of glass that has low thermal expansion properties. These design types comprise the basis of color determination and color separation. Dichroic filters are also environmentally durable and their performance will not deteriorate over time. The films are deposited on large diameter substrates that are later fabricated into smaller sizes either by scoring and breakout or with a waterjet cutter. The waterjet cutter allows complex shapes to be programmed and cut.
Dichroic filters reflect unwanted wavelengths back to the light source.
Dichroic filter transmission levels are substantially higher than an equivalent gel filter providing considerable savings in energy and money. Dichroic filters are highly color selective producing brighter, cleaner appearing, saturated color. Dichroic filters will not melt, wrinkle, shrink or fade like gel filters. Dichroic filters retain their characteristic spectral transmission properties indefinitely for long life and value. Dichroic filters are low maintenance and seldom if ever require replacement.