Microscopy is any technique for producing visible images of structures or details too small to be seen by the human eye using a microscope or other magnification tool.

Classical light microscopy involves passing light that is transmitted through or reflected from the subject through a series of lenses. This light is then detected directly by the eye, imaged on a photographic plate, or captured digitally. Microscopy requires high precision and repeatability from the components used in the optical path. Key parameters of flatness and low-wavefront distortion are critical to avoid image shift and ghost images. JDSU has addressed the microscopy specific requirements by developing hard-dielectric, single substrate filters with the stringent performance characteristics required.