Disclosed is an optical multi/demultiplexer, which comprises a graded index
type light transmission section whose refractive index is continuously reduced
in the direction from the center to the periphery thereof, a wavelength-multiplexed-light
connecting section disposed at one of the axial ends of the light transmission
section, and at least one monochromatic light connecting section disposed at the
other axial end of the light transmission section. The wavelength-multiplexed-light
connecting section and the monochromatic light connecting section are disposed
relative to the light transmission section in such a positional relationship that
a monochromatic light included in a wavelength multiplexed light entered from the
wavelength-multiplexed-light connecting section into the one end of the light transmission
section is emitted from the other end of the light transmission section at a position
where the monochromatic light connecting section is disposed. The present invention
can provide an optical multi/demultiplexer having a reduced number of components
and allowing the number of assembling steps to be reduced while eliminating the
need for complicated adjustments.