An ultrasonic wave generating device includes a substrate, a heat
insulation layer on the substrate, a membrane heating portion on the heat
insulation layer, and a membrane oscillator on the heating portion. The
heating portion is electrically driven with a predetermined period, and
produces heat for thermally displacing a surface of the oscillator. The
oscillator receives a temperature variation with the predetermined period
from the heating portion, and oscillates so as to generate ultrasonic
waves.