Abstract: A transient optical element is created by providing a body of a third order non-linear material and then passing a pulse of light through the body of non-linear material. The pulse of light has a cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the transient optical element to be created and power sufficient to induce an index of refraction change over the portion of the body of non-linear material through which it passes. The portion of the body of non-linear material having the induced index of refraction change constitutes the transient optical element with the duration of the transient optical element depending on the response time of the non-linear material and the duration of pulse of light. Typical optical elements that can be so created include prisms, lenses, gratings, mirrors, beamsplitters and wave guides. By forming a plurality of optical elements within the third order non-linear material rather than simply a single optical element, a transient optical circuit can be created.