F-state based permanent optical data storage in bacteriorhodopsin film

Abstract

Upon excitation of high intensity linearly polarized femtosecond laser, a blue-shifted two-photon induced photoproduct named F540 state with permanent photo-induced anisotropy is observed in bacteriorhodopsin (BR) films. Based on the F-state, permanent optical data storage can be realized with spatial field modulation of femtosecond laser. By using a phase-only spatial light modulator to modulate the spatial phase distribution of the incident femtosecond laser beam, we generate spot-patterns in the focal plane of the microscopic objective lens, and the patterns are recorded in the BR film. At the same time, by varying the polarization direction of the excitation laser beam, polarization-multiplexed optical data storage in the BR film is demonstrated, which is applicable to high-density optical data storage and optical information encryption.