 A diffractive beam splitter can generate either a 1-dimensional beam array (1xN) or a 2-dimensional beam matrix (MxN), depending on the diffractive pattern on the element.The diffractive beam splitter is used with monochromatic light such as a laser beam, and is designed for a specific wavelength and angle of separation between output beams.Normally, a diffractive beam splitter is used in tandem with a focusing lens so that the output beam array becomes an array of focused spots on a plane at a given distance from the lens, called the "working distance".