This document gives an overview of the main specifi cations of interest for two types of passive components: fi lters and broadband com-ponents. Three common characterization methods will be discussed using either an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) or a tunable laser source (TLS). The Polarization Scanning Technique is an easy-to-implement measure-ment method providing high. Optomecha-tronic measurement systems are being developed based on high precision interac-tions between optics, mechanics, and electronics. Conventional grating-based OSAs, however, have slow and moderate spectral resolution mechanisms that are incompatible with the requirements of modern sensing and bioengineering applications.