A notched filter includes a multilayer having alternating first and second polymer layers, the first polymer layers each including an isotropic polymer thin film having in-plane refractive indices n1x and n1y, and the second polymer layers each including an isotropic or anisotropic polymer thin film having in-plane refractive indices n2x and n2y, where a thickness of each successive first polymer layer decreases with increasing distance from a centerline of the multilayer, and a thickness of each successive second polymer layer increases with increasing distance from the centerline. Such a filter may be configured to reflect incident light having a desired polarization state within a predetermined and relatively narrow band.