Design Wavelength (DWL)

A common specification for optical components describing the specific wavelength of light at which the components are intended to be used, or the wavelength of light used in specifying or testing an optical component for a wavelength dependent specification such as reflectivity or transmission. Optical components used over a range of wavelengths will typically have optimal performance at the DWL and decreasing performance as the wavelength moves further away from the design wavelength. DWL has units of length and is most commonly reported in nanometers (nm) or microns (μm).