  Anomalous spectral shift of transmission peaks is observed in a
Fabry--P\'erot cavity filled with a chiral anisotropic medium. The effective
refractive index value resides out of the interval between the ordinary and the
extraordinary refractive indices. The spectral shift is explained by
contribution of a geometric phase. The problem is solved analytically using the
approximate Jones matrix method, numerically using the accurate Berreman method
and geometrically using the generalized Mauguin--Poincar\'e rolling cone
method. The $o$-mode blue shift is measured for a
4-methoxybenzylidene-4'-$n$-butylaniline twisted--nematic layer inside the
Fabry--P\'erot cavity. The twist is electrically induced due to the
homeoplanar--twisted configuration transition in an ionic-surfactant-doped
liquid crystal layer. Experimental evidence confirms the validity of the
theoretical model.

Optics