The present invention provides an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer that
can be smaller in size and higher in Q-factor or efficiency. This object
is achieved by the following construction. In a slab-shaped body 11, low
refractive index areas 12 having a refractive index lower than that of
the material of the body 11 are periodically arranged to construct a
two-dimensional photonic crystal, in which a waveguide 13 is formed by
not boring holes 12 linearly. A donor type cluster defect 14 is formed by
not boring holes 12 at two ore more lattice points located adjacent to
the waveguide 13. With this construction, only a specific wavelength of
light included in the light propagating through the waveguide 13
resonates at the donor type cluster 14, and the light thus trapped is
released to the outside (demultiplexing). Conversely, only a specific
wavelength of light may be introduced through the donor type cluster
defect 14 into the waveguide 13 (multiplexing).