Sideband transmission in interference filters and its implications for measurements of spectral sensitivity.

Commercial interference filters used in much of comparative vision science are constructed to suppress the transmission of light outside the primary passband. However, despite attempts to suppress sideband transmission, it does occur. This sideband transmission can lead to serious problems when working in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. The use of UV interference filters with a tungsten source which is calibrated with a silicon photodiode, produce large reproducible errors.