Simple high-resolution wavelength monitor based on a fiber Bragg grating.

A compact and low-cost device for monitoring the peak wavelength of single-peak spectral distributions is presented. The system is based on the transmission properties of a fiber Bragg grating when its period is modulated. Different types of optical signal, such as the emission of distributed-feedback lasers and the reflection of a broadband optical source produced by fiber gratings used in sensor systems, can be measured with this device. We demonstrate that a high wavelength resolution of micro 1 pm can be achieved and that our proposal can be used for real-time monitoring.