The present invention intends to provide a two-dimensional photonic
crystal having a high level of mechanical strength and functioning as a
high-efficiency resonator. The two-dimensional photonic crystal according
to the present invention includes a slab layer 31 under which a clad
layer 32 is located. In the slab layer 31, areas 35 having a refractive
index different from that of the slab layer 31 are cyclically arranged to
create a two-dimensional photonic crystal. A portion of the cyclic
arrangement of the areas 35 are omitted to form a point-like defect 36.
This defect 36 functions as a resonator at which a specific wavelength of
light resonates. An air-bridge cavity 37 facing the point-like defect 36
is formed over a predetermined range of the clad layer 32. In this
construction, the clad layer 32 supports the slab layer 31 except for the
range over which the air-bridge space 37 is formed. Therefore, the
two-dimensional photonic crystal has a high level of mechanical strength.
The presence of the air-bridge space 37 under the point-like defect 36
makes it easy to confine light at the point-like defect 36 by the
difference in the refractive index between the slab layer 31 and the air.
Thus, the point-like defect 36 functions as a high-performance resonator.