Protein-based integrated optical switching and modulation

Abstract

The static and dynamic response of optical waveguides coated with a thin protein film of bacteriorhodopsin was investigated. The size and kinetics of the light-induced refractive index changes of the adlayer were determined under different conditions of illumination. The results demonstrate the applicability of this protein as an active, programmable nonlinear optical material in all-optical integrated circuits. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics

Optically controlled resonance energy transfer: Mechanism and configuration for all-optical switching

“…These include, for example, systems based on photonic crystals with cross-waveguide geometries, offering switching action through the optical Kerr effect; [28][29][30] surfaceplasmon polariton media, in which light-induced dielectric modification at an interface affects the transmission of throughput radiation; [31][32][33] azobenzene-containing materials, which have differing optical properties for the trans and cis configurations, reversibly interchangeable by photoisomerization, [34][35][36] and various schemes based on films of bacteriorhodopsin, a light-harvesting protein with unique nonlinear optical properties. [37][38][39][40][41] The present paper reports an in-depth analysis of a very different all-optical switching mechanism-initially outlined by one of the present authors [42][43][44] -based on the optical con-trol of resonance energy transfer ͑RET͒ between molecules. When RET occurs spontaneously, following the absorption of light, it usually represents the principal process for the intermolecular translation of electronic energy, from the sites of initial optical excitation.…”

Molecular Interactions in Natural and Synthetic Self-Assembly Systems

“…tissue integration). Perhaps the most exciting application is optical switching and modulation behavior based on proteins affixed to a substrate (Ormos et al, 2002).…”

Bakteriorodopszin és koenzimek femtoszekundumos időfelbontású spektroszkópiai vizsgálata

“…A bR segítségével például optikai kapcsoló építhető [40], ami a bR fényindukált törésmutató-változását használja ki. A publikációk egy része a fehérje fotoelektromos tulajdonságainak felhasználását tárgyalja [41], illetve számos szabadalom alapul azon, hogy a bR polarizációs hologramok rögzítésére képes, ezáltal dinamikus, optikai adattároló eszközök alapját képezheti a jövőben [42,43].…”