AbstractThe properties of three multilayer systems which are of potential importance in scientific photography are examined. Antireflecting systems of one and two layers are considered and the conditions under which single layer blooming is likely to be inadequate are mentioned. The use of multilayer stacks of quarter-wave layers as an alternative to the semi-transparent metal filmis discussed. Finally the properties of interference filters are compared with those of dye filters. Both silver + dielectric and all-dielectric interference filters are considered.