Birefringent filter with tilted optic axis for tuning dye lasers: theory and design

The dependence of the tuning behavior of a birefringent filter on the orientation of the optic axis to the surface of the plate is studied. The Jones matrix representing a tilted birefringent plate is reduced to practical form, and this leads to simplifying the theoretical operation of tuning a birefringent filter in a laser resonator. The principles of proper determination of the filter parameters are given. A design method, which takes into consideration the bandwidth, rejection and tuning range of the filter, and design examples, is provided.