Multilayer structures of two commercial polymers, poly(9-vinylcarbazole) and poly(vinyl alcohol), have been deposited on silica glass substrates by spin-coating. A study of the transmittance of single layers provides a determination of the refractive index and absorption coefficient dispersion curves for those materials, in the range 400-1100 nm. This allows an accurate modelling of the transmittance spectra for structures with several pairs of layers. The good agreement found between simulation and measurements confirms thickness uniformity achieved along the fabrication direction, and a good quality of surfaces and interfaces. The high spectral sensitivity upon variations of thickness opens the way to perform easy and inexpensive filters and sensors, including the integration into other active devices. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.