An optical device comprises a substrate, a first guiding layer having a guided mode provided on the substrate, a second guiding layer laminated with the first guiding layer on the substrate, the second guiding layer having a guided mode different from that of the first guiding layer, and a diffraction grating provided on an area where the first and second guiding layers have their guided modes overlapping, the diffraction grating serving to couple the light on the specific range of wavelengths that propagate through the first guiding layer, with the second layer, wherein the diffraction grating comprises a high refractive index region and a low refractive index region disposed periodically in the propagation direction of light, the ratio of the high refractive index region to the low refractive index region occupied in one period changing gradually in the propagation direction of light.