Transmission profile of the Dutch Open Telescope H alpha Lyot filter

Accurate knowledge of the spectral transmission profile of a Lyot filter is important, in particular in comparing observations with simulated data. The paper summarizes available facts about the transmission profile of the Dutch Open Telescope (DOT) H alpha Lyot filter pointing to a discrepancy between sidelobe-free Gaussian-like profile measured spectroscopically and signatures of possible leakage of parasitic continuum light in DOT H alpha images. We compute wing-to-center intensity ratios resulting from convolutions of Gaussian and square of the sinc function with the H alpha atlas profile and compare them with the ratios derived from observations of the quiet Sun chromosphere at disk center. We interpret discrepancies between the anticipated and observed ratios and the sharp limb visible in the DOT H alpha image as an indication of possible leakage of parasitic continuum light. A method suggested here can be applied also to indirect testing of transmission profiles of other Lyot filters. We suggest two theoretical transmission profiles of the DOT H alpha Lyot filter which should be considered as the best available approximations. Conclusive answer can only be given by spectroscopic re-measurement of the filter.