Birefringent selector of the emission wavelength for a cw dye laser

An analysis is made of the effect of the manufacturing inaccuracies on the operation of a three-component birefringent filter designed for continuous frequency tuning of a cw dye laser. The tolerances on the filter plate thickness are found. The angles of the plate setting and the angular positions of the optic axis and of the plane plates mounted in a frame, needed to ensure normal operation of the filter, are determined. Practical recommendations on the assembly and alignment of the filter are also given.