Optical Filter Durability & Environmental Specifications

Chroma optical filters are built for tough environments—from 24/7 instruments to systems in the field. Our magnetron sputtered thin‑film coatings are engineered for long‑term stability and repeatable performance, and we validate that performance with industry‑standard environmental and durability tests. We routinely manufacture optical components to meet the requirements of the tests listed below. Additionally, we can qualify to other requirements and/or customer‑specific procedures.

Please note: the specifications below represent typical performance for our catalog, all‑dielectric filter designs. Some specialized constructions including parts that incorporate sputtered metal layers (e.g., certain mirrors or neutral‑density filters), laminated or absorption‑glass hybrids, or parts with minimal overcoats, may perform differently.

If your application depends on a specific test outcome, Contact Us and we’ll confirm for your exact part.

Environmental & Durability Tests

Test	Description	MIL Spec	ISO Spec
Adhesion – Moderate	Quick tape removal	MIL‑C‑48497 4.5.3.1	ISO 9211-4-02-02
Adhesion - Severe	Snap tape removal	MIL‑C‑48497 4.5.3.1	ISO 9211‑4-02-03
Abrasion – Moderate	Cheesecloth rubs under defined load	MIL‑C‑48497 4.5.3.3	ISO 9211‑4-01-01
Solubility - Moderate	Distilled/DI boiling water	—	ISO 9211‑4‑04‑08
Humidity	Elevated temperature / humidity	MIL‑C‑48497 4.5.3.2	ISO 9022‑2‑12‑07
Damp Heat - Moderate	Elevated temperature / humidity	—	ISO 9022‑2‑12‑06
Damp Heat - Severe	Elevated temperature / humidity for extended duration	—	ISO 9022‑2‑12‑07
Dry Heat – Moderate	Elevated temperature exposure	—	ISO 9022‑2‑07‑03 & ISO 9022-2-11-03
Dry Heat - Severe	Higher‑temperature exposure	—	ISO 9022‑2‑07‑06 & ISO 9022-2-11-06
Low Temperature	Low‑temperature exposure	MIL‑C‑48497A 4.5.4.1	—
Induced Hot Humid Cycle	Cycled temp‑humidity profile	MIL‑STD‑810G Method 507.5, Procedure 1, Cycle B3	—
Salt Fog	Corrosive salt atmosphere exposure	MIL‑STD‑810G Method 509.5, Paragraph 2.2.3	—

Need Another Test Method?

We regularly manufacture optics to meet other requirements and customer‑specific acceptance criteria. Contact us with your specific requirements and we will be happy to confirm product performance.

Contact Us

Laser Damage Threshold (LDT)

Chroma optical filters are designed to handle high laser power while maintaining stable spectral performance. Laser Damage Threshold testing, performed to ISO 21254, measures how much energy or power a coating can withstand before any measurable change occurs. The table below summarizes the typical LDT performance for our catalog filters under pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) conditions.

Regime	Method	Typical Performance
Pulsed	ISO 21254	Peak Fluence < 1.75 Joules/cm^2 (~70um spot diam., 10ns pulses, 10Hz repetition rate, 532nm laser)
Continuous‑wave (CW)	ISO 21254	CW (continuous wave) Intensity < 2 MW/cm^2 (1064nm, ~90um spot diam.)

Operating & Storage Conditions

The ranges below reflect typical catalog performance for all-dielectric designs. Non-condensing humidity is assumed.

Please note: optical filters naturally experience small spectral shifts with temperature. If your application requires especially tight wavelength or edge tolerances, we can design the filter to meet specification at your intended operating and/or storage temperature.

For demanding thermal profiles, please Contact Us with your requirements.

Condition	Range
Operating Temperature / Humidity	−40 to +70 °C, 0–100% RH (non‑condensing)
Storage Temperature / Humidity	−100 to +200 °C, 0–100% RH (non‑condensing)