Contrast elements in birefringent filters

Calculations were made to determine the effects which contrast elements of various thicknesses have in Lyot filters. A filter which is significantly narrower than the line at which it is looking produces the best results. Therefore, if the filter is broad the addition of as thick an element as possible is desired. However, if the filter is already narrow, a contrast element whose thickness equals that of the second Lyot element will produce the best performance.