A wavelength monitoring device for monitoring a beam of light is disclosed
having a beam splitter, with opposing first and second spaced apart
faces, for receiving optical radiation from the beam of light to be
monitored. In operation the first face reflects a first portion of the
optical radiation to a first photodiode. The second face includes a
grating for reflecting a second portion of the optical radiation to the
first photodiode. The grating also reflects a third portion of optical
radiation to a second photodiode. The light received by the second
photodiode corresponds proportionally to optical power of the incident
beam of light. The first photodiode is for detecting a wavelength
characteristic of the composite beam and is located so as to receive the
first portion and the second portion of optical radiation after the first
portion and the second portion of optical radiation have optically
interfered to form a composite beam. The first face and the grating are
oriented and spaced from one another so that the first and second
portions of the optical radiation optically interfere with one another
along a path toward the first photodiode.