A receiver comprises: optical signal distributing means for distributing an optical signal transmitted to detect a detection target on a traveling path to two or more paths; a detection unit configured to detect a received light intensity of the optical signal at a first position where the received light intensity increases when the optical axis is shifted and at a second position where the received light intensity decreases; an intensity ratio calculation unit configured to calculate a ratio between the received light intensity at the first position and the second position based on the output of the detection unit; and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not there is an optical axis shift based on a change in the ratio of the received light intensity calculated by the intensity ratio calculation unit.