Method and apparatus to improve the dynamic range of optical devices using spatial apodization

Devices and methods for processing multi-wavelength light beams and the single-wavelength components of such light beams are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a spectral filter includes collimating and focusing optical elements, an apodizing filter, a diffraction grating, and a spatial filter. The collimating optical element collimates an input light beam while the apodizing filter spatially filters this beam. In general, the apodizing filter includes a range of transmissivity that varies according to a distance from a predetermined location on the apodizing filter. The diffraction grating diffracts the input beam which is focused by the focusing optical element onto the spatial filter to generate a filtered output beam. Embodiments of the invention may be employed as spectral filters, optical spectrum analyzers, optical mutiplexers, optical de-multiplexers, and the like.