The present invention has been made for providing a photonic crystal
capable of multiplexing or demultiplexing light within a wavelength band
having a certain width. It includes a slab-shaped body 21 provided with
plural forbidden band zones 211 and 212, and holes 221 and 222 having
different sizes are arranged in the forbidden band zones with different
cycles, respectively. Also formed are a trunk waveguide 24 extending
along the direction inclined by +30 degrees from a perpendicular of the
boundary 23 between the forbidden band zones 211 and 212, and a branch
waveguide 25 extending along the direction inclined by -30 degrees. A ray
of light within the multiplexed/demultiplexed wavelength band, which is
excluded from the transmission wavelength band of the trunk waveguide 24
in the forbidden band zone 212 and included in the transmission
wavelength band of the trunk waveguide 24 in the forbidden band zone 211,
is reflected by the boundary 23 and thereby demultiplexed from the trunk
waveguide 24 into the branch waveguide 25. Thus, all the rays of light
whose wavelengths are within the multiplexed/demultiplexed wavelength
band having a certain width are demultiplexed into the branch waveguide
25. Therefore, even if the wavelength of the optical signal is deviated
due to some error, the light can be demultiplexed. This is also true for
the multiplexing operation.