An optical splitter includes a main waveguide, a tapered waveguide, and a
split waveguide group having first and second split waveguides. The side
portions of the tapered waveguide taper and expand from a first end
portion toward second end portions. The widths of the split waveguides
differ from each other. The whole width of the split waveguide group at
connecting portions between the tapered waveguide and the split
waveguides is smaller than the width of the tapered waveguide at the
second end portions. Step portions are formed between the split waveguide
group and the side portions.