Light is processed and, in some instances, generated using an approach involving a photonic crystal resonator arrangement. According to an example embodiment, a photonic crystal resonator array includes an array of defect locations configured for controlling the group velocity of light passing through the photonic crystal resonator array. In one implementation, holes are selectively formed in a membrane, with certain periodic locations in the membrane being substantially free of holes. In other implementations, certain periodic locations as discussed above are characterized by holes having a relatively differently-shaped opening, relative to a plurality of the holes. Still other implementations involve optical delay components, lasers, sensors and other devices implemented with a photonic crystal resonator array.