High-contrast, all-optical switching in bacteriorhodopsin films

• DOI: 10.1364/ao.44.005497
• Publication Date: 2005-09-13T21:50:06Z
• Authors: Ravinder Kumar Ba...; B. Raghavendra Pr...
• Keywords: Optics and Photonics; Light; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Membranes, Artificial; 02 engineering and technology; Radiation Dosage; Models, Biological; Refractometry; Models, Chemical; Purple Membrane; Bacteriorhodopsins; Computer Simulation; 0210 nano-technology

We report experiments with nonlinear-absorption-based, high-contrast, all-optical switching in photochromic bacteriorhodopsin (BR) films. The action is accomplished by control of the transmission a weak probe beam through BR sample help strong pump illumination at 532 nm wavelength. found that properties films depend on several experimentally controllable parameters such as wavelength, intensity, and excitation rate. A comparative study behavior other practical use was carried out three wavelengths (543, 594, 633 nm) various powers rates. results are presented for commercially available wild-type D96N variant