Beam redirection and frequency filtering with transparent elastomeric diffractive elements

A new, to our knowledge, type of optical device capable of beam redirection and frequency filtering is described. It is based on a transparent elastom eric binary diffraction grating. When light is passed through the device th e intensities of the diffraction orders can be modulated by compression of the elastomer in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the grating. S elective filtering of the component frequencies of two-component light (lam bda = 543.5 nm and lambda = 632.8 nm) has been demonstrated. Experimental o bservations are in agreement with theoretical calculations quantifying the performance of the device. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.