It is shown, in the case of one-dimensional photonic crystals, that the tra
nsmission gaps are caused by the existence of resonance phenomena inside th
e layers which constitute the crystal. From a mathematical point of view, t
hese resonances are associated with poles and zeros in the complex plane of
the wavenumber k. Transmission gaps are located outside these resonance re
gions. A phenomenological formula allows us to represent quantitatively the
transmission inside the gaps. Finally, a synthetic explanation of the prop
erties of doped and non-doped crystals is proposed and it is shown that the
transmission peaks inside the gaps of doped photonic crystals are caused b
y a shift of poles and zeros located inside the resonance regions of non-do
ped crystals.