Light controlled bending of a holographic transmission phase grating

We recorded a permanent phase transmission grating on a thin film made by using a recently developed holographic photomobile mixture. The recorded grating pitch falls in the visible range and can be optically manipulated by using an external coherent or incoherent low power light source. When the external light source illuminates the grating the entire structure bends and, as a consequence, the optical properties of the grating change. This peculiarity makes it possible to use the recorded periodic structure as an all-optically controlled free standing thin colour selector or light switch depending on the source used to illuminate the grating itself. Additionally, it could open up new possibilities for stretchable and reconfigurable holograms controlled by light as well as thin devices for optically reconfigurable dynamic communications and displays.