Patent ID: 6788408
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
A wavelength monitoring system for monitoring the wavelength of light corresponding to at least one optical channel transmitted through an optical system, said wavelength monitoring system comprising:an optical diffraction grating; a rotating polygon having a reflective mirror on each facet thereof; and an avalanche detector positioned behind a slit; wherein said optical diffraction grating receives the light which is to be monitored from the optical system, disperses that light, and projects the dispersed light onto at least one facet of said rotating polygon; wherein the mirrors of said rotating polygon reflect the dispersed light coming off said optical diffraction grating so that the dispersed light continuously passes through the slit and falls onto said avalanche detector; such that the output of said avalanche detector peaks every time a streak of light, corresponding to a different wavelength at a designated channel, passes by said detector.