A device for varying the direction of an optical beam. A first waveguide
is directed along a first direction, a second waveguide is directed along
a second direction different from the first direction, and a bending
region is interposed between the first and the second waveguide. The
bending region has a photonic crystal having a regular periodicity and at
least a first and a second crystal axes substantially aligned with the
first and second directions, and a reflecting surface delimiting the
photonic crystal and so positioned and oriented as to reflect an optical
beam coming from the first waveguide toward the second waveguide.