A dispersion compensating device having a VIPA plate which is an optical component, a lens, and a mirror includes high reflectivity side monitor means for monitoring the light that is input into the VIPA plate and emitted from the first reflecting surface. By this, the passage characteristics of the dispersion compensating device (VIPA) can be equalized to the input light wavelength (output wavelength of light transmitter) in a highly stable manner while restraining the loss of main signal light to the minimum.