Impact of Interface Inhomogeneities on Spectral Characteristics of Optical Filters: Web-Based Modeling Platform

The presence of inhomogeneities at the interfaces of optical filter layers can significantly affect their spectral characteristics, posing a critical challenge in optical coating design. This paper introduces a comprehensive web-based platform for modeling and analyzing the impact of interface inhomogeneities on broadband and narrowband optical filters. Unlike existing solutions that predominantly assume idealized interfaces, our approach uniquely integrates realistic interface modeling with accessible web technologies, bridging the critical gap between theoretical design and manufacturing outcomes. Using the matrix method, we investigate various models of inhomogeneity distribution, including step-like, linear, and exponential profiles at layer interfaces. The platform implements advanced numerical algorithms to calculate transmission spectra while considering both ideal interfaces and different types of inhomogeneities. Our results demonstrate that interface inhomogeneities can cause significant shifts in the transmission spectrum’s peak wavelength, ranging from 1.5 to 2 nm, and changes in the bandwidth (5–7%) of narrowband filters. For broadband filters, we observed transmission variations of up to 4% and reflection changes of up to 31% depending on the interface type. The developed web platform provides researchers and engineers with an accessible tool to model these effects and optimize filter designs, offering both API access and interactive visualization capabilities. This innovation enables predictive modeling of manufactured filter performance, substantially reducing the iterative design-fabrication cycle and associated costs in precision optical applications. This study enhances the understanding of real-world optical filter behavior and provides practical guidelines for incorporating interface effects into filter design.