An optical performance monitor for measuring the performance of optical
networks has an echelle grating for demultiplexing an input beam into a
plurality of wavelengths that are focused onto an array of divided output
waveguides. Each divided output waveguide is positioned to receive a
corresponding demultiplexed wavelength from the echelle grating or other
waveguide multiplexer device. The divided output waveguides laterally
separate the corresponding demultiplexed wavelength into a first and
second portions. A detector array is positioned to receive the respective
portions of the demultiplexed wavelengths and by comparing their relative
intensity it is possible to detect any drift in the nominal wavelengths
of the channels.