Patent ID: 7408639

Claim:
An optical spectral detection device utilizing free space optical beam propagation, comprising: a. at least one optical fiber input for receiving an optical beam having multiple wavelengths; b. at least one opto-electronic detection device; c. a single optical tilt element having an actuator with at least one tilt axis for receiving the optical beam; d. a diffraction element having a surface thereon; e. an optical beam transfer arrangement positioned between the single optical tilt element and the diffraction element such that tilt actuation of the optical tilt element elicits a proportional change in an angle of incidence of the optical beam onto the diffraction element, wherein the center of rotation for the angular change is the surface of the diffraction element; and wherein the spectral properties of the optical beam that are detected are selected by selectively positioning the single optical tilt element about at least one of the tilt axes.