Reversible nanocontraction and dilatation in a solid induced by polarized light

Reversible, controllable optical nanocontraction and dilatation in a chalcogenide glass film was induced by polarized light, and a direct correlation of this optomechanical effect with the reversible optical-induced optical anisotropy (dichroism) also exhibited by the chalcogenide glass was observed. A microscopic model of the photoinduced, reversible structural phenomenon responsible for the optomechanical behavior is presented. The ability to induce an anisotropic optomechanical effect could form the basis of a number of applications, including polarized light-dependent optical nanoactuators, optomechanical diaphragm micropumps, and even motors driven by polarized light.