an optical input port for projecting an input optical signal onto an optical phased matrix array,

an optical phased matrix array including a plurality of individually addressable pixels thereon, each said pixel being drivable within a prescribed range of levels, and

an optical output port for collecting a predetermined fraction of said optical signal received from said optical phased matrix array;

the method including the steps of:

(a) determining a plurality of transfer functions relating said level of each said pixel to the phase variation each said pixel introduces to light from said input optical signal which is incident thereon;

(b) controlling the level of selected ones of said pixels in accordance with a corresponding transfer function such that a fractional signal received at said output port is modified in phase to substantially compensate for optical phase distortions arising from said optical phased matrix array;

(c) determining a transfer function relating a wavelength signal to the pixels they are incident thereon; and

(d) associating selected ones of said pixels in accordance with said transfer function to said wavelength signals such that the phase of selected wavelength signals can be independently modified in accordance with requirements.