It is shown that the output wavelength λ_m of a dye laser may be shifted with respect to λ₀, the wavelength setting to which the dye laser is tuned by an intracavity wavelength-selective optical element such as a diffraction grating. The shift δ λ = λ₀ - λ_m is toward the wavelengths at which lasing would occur without the tuning element in the cavity. The magnitude of δ λ is determined by the spectral width of the tuning element by the gain characteristics of the laser dye and by cavity design parameters. An analytic expression is presented for a dye laser oscillating at threshold gain and for a Gaussian wavelength distribution of the dispersive element. Some examples are discussed where wavelength shifts may be significant.

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