Polarization holographic high-density optical data storage in bacteriorhodopsin film

Optical films containing the genetic variant bacteriorhodopsin BR-D96N were experimentally studied in view of their properties as media for holographic storage. Different polarization recording schemes were tested and compared. The influence of the polarization states of the recording and readout waves on the retrieved diffractive image's intensity and its signal-to-noise ratio were analyzed. The experimental results showed that, compared with the other tested polarization relations during holographic recording, the discrimination between the polarization states of diffracted and scattered light is optimized with orthogonal circular polarization of the recording beams, and thus a high signal-to-noise ratio and a high diffraction efficiency are obtained. Using a He-Ne laser (633 nm, 3 mW) for recording and readout, a spatial light modulator as a data input element, and a 2D-CCD sensor for data capture in a Fourier-transform holographic setup, a storage density of 2 x 10(8) bits/cm(2) was obtained on a 60 x 42 mu m(2) area in the BR-D96N film. The readout of encoded binary data was possible with a zero-error rate at the tested storage density. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.

Kinetic spectra of light-adaptation dark-adaptation and M-intermediate of BR-D96N

BR-D96N is a kind of genetically site-specific mutants of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) with obvious photochromic effect. Compared to the wild type BR, the lifetime of M state of BR-D96N is prolonged to several minutes so that the photochromic kinetics and the intermediates formation can be studied by the conventional spectra analysis. In the experiment, the absorption spectra of the sample at different time after light illumination are measured with spectrophotometer. By fitting and analyzing the variation of the spectra, we suppose that there are three main states in the, photochromic process, i.e., B state (light-adapted state), M state and D state (dark-adapted state). The absorption spectra of the B state, M state and D state are extracted from the experimental data based on this three-state model and the spectra at various time are fitted with the least-square method. So, the variations of population percentages of the M state, B state and D state are obtained and the M state and B state lifetimes are estimated. In another way, from the measurement of the absorption dynamics at 407 and 568 nm, the M state and B state lifetimes are also obtained by two exponential data fitting, which give coincident results with those of the spectra analysis. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Polarization multiplexed write-once-read-many optical data storage in bacteriorhodopsin films

In polymeric films of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) a photoconversion product, which was named the F620 state, was observed on excitation of the film with 532 nm nanosecond laser pulses. This photoproduct shows a strong nonlinear absorption. Such BR films can be used for write-once-read-many (WORM) optical data storage. We demonstrate that a photoproduct similar or even identical to that obtained with nanosecond pulses is generated on excitation with 532 mn femtosecond pulses. This photoproduct also shows strong anisotropic absorption, which facilitates polarization storage of data. The product is thermally stable and is irretrievable to the initial B state either by photochemical reaction or through a thermal pathway. The experimental results indicate that the product is formed by a two-photon absorption process. Optical WORM storage is demonstrated by use of two polarization states, but more polarization states may be used. The combination of polarization data multiplexing and extremely short recording time in the femtosecond range enables very high data volumes to be stored within a very short time. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.

Polarization patterns control based on photoinduced anisotropy of photochromic fulgide

We investigate the photoinduced anisotropy of a photochromic material of pyrrylfulgide/PMMA films. It is proven that when the film is illuminated with a linear polarization light, an optical axis that has the same polarization as the excitation light could be induced in the film. A matrix of light spots with different polarizations is recorded on the pyrrylfulgide/PMMA film. When reading out with non-polarization light, the matrix of light spots shows no information of patterns. However, when reading out with different linear polarization lights, different patterns could be observed. The experiment confirms that the pyrrylfulgide/PMMA film could be used to record two different polarization patterns in a matrix of spots. This property may be applied in camouflage technology.

Multi-exponentially photoelectric response of bacteriorhodopsin

A thin oriented bacteriorhodopsin (bR) him is deposited on a stainless steel slide by use of the electrophoretic sedimentation method. A junction is made with electrolyte gels having a counterelectrode to construct a bR-based photoelectric detector;. The photoelectric response signal to a 10 ns laser pulse is measured. A theory on the photoelectric kinetics of bR is developed based on the concept of the charge displacement current and the bR photocycle rate equations. Comparison between the theoretical and experimental results proves that the bR photoelectric response to a short laser pulse is a multi-exponential process. The decay time constants and amplitudes of each, exponential component are obtained by data fitting.

Optical image contrast reversal using bacteriorhodopsin films

The implementation of image contrast reversal by using a photochromic material of Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) films is demonstrated with two methods based on the optical properties of BR. One is based on the absorption difference between the B and M states. Images recorded by green light can be contrast reversed readout by violet light. The other is based on the photoinduced anisotropy of BR when it is excited by linear polarization light. By placing the BR film between two crossed polarizers (i.e. a polarizer and an analyser), the difference of polarization states of the recorded area and the unrecorded area can be detected, and thus different contrast images can be obtained by rotating the polarization axis of the analyser.

Photochromic fulgide for holographic recording

(N-4'-methoxy-2-methyl-5-phenyl)-3-pyrryl-ethylidene (isopropylidene) succinic anhydride fulgide, doped in PMMA matrix, exhibits photochromic behavior. The fatigue resistance experiment shows no photodegradation is detected after more than 450 writing-erasing cycles. Study of fulgide material for holographic recording media shows the optimal exposure and the diffraction efficiency is 1047 mJ/cm(2) and 2.26%, respectively, with 10 mum thickness polymer film. Holographic grating with 1680 lines/mm at writing angle theta = 30degrees is also obtained. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dual-wavelength photochromic fulgides for parallel recording memory

Two photochromic fulgides, 2-{2-[4-(N,N-dimethylnilino)-5-methyl-4-oxazoly]}ethylidene-4-(1-methylethylidene) tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dione (A) and 3-(1,2-dimethyl-5-phenyl-3-pyrolloethylidene)-4-(1-methylethylidene)tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dione (B), doped in PMMA as candidates of dual-wavelength optical memory for parallel recording has been investigated. With 488 nm-laser and 650 nm-laser, both "cross" and "star" images are recorded on the fulgides-PMMA film and read out clearly, respectively. Crosstalk between two fulgides in PMMA matrix and nondestructive readout has also been explored. The results show that no significant cross-talk is detected between them, and nondestructive readout is up to 201 times. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental investigation of parallel optical data storage using pyrrylfulgide photochromic material

The optical storage characteristics of a new kind of organic photochromic material-pyrrylfulgide were experimentally investigated in the established parallel optical data storage system. Using the pyrrylfulgide/PMMA film as a photon-mode recording medium, micro-images and encoded binary digital data were recorded, readout and erased in this parallel system. The storage density currently reaches 3 x 10(7) bit/cm(2). The recorded information on the film can be kept for years in darkness at room temperature.

Synthesis and application on parallel image storage of bisfurylfulgide

A bisfurylfulgide, E, E-3,4-bis[1-(2,5-dimethyl-3-furyl)ethylidene]-3,4-dihydrofuran-2,5-dione, is synthesized by Stobbe condensation reaction. The molecular structure of target compound is confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography analysis. It shows that the distances between two possible reaction sites of molecule are 0.3394 and 0.3406 nm respectively, which is favorable to photocyclization. The photochromic properties of this compound in different solvents are investigated, and the result shows that the compound exhibits excellent photochromic behavior. The primary result of applied research on parallel image storage is also presented.

Kinetics of picosecond laser pulse induced charge separation and proton transfer in bacteriorhodopsin

Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) films oriented by an electrophoretic method are deposited on a transparent conductive ITO glass. A counterelectrode of copper and gelose gel is used to compose a sandwich-type photodetector with the structure of ITO/BR film/gelose gel/Cu. A single 30-ps laser pulse and a mode-locked pulse train are respectively used to excite the BR photodetector. The ultrafast failing edge and the bipolar response signal are measured by the digital oscilloscope under seven different time ranges. Marquardt nonlinear least squares fitting is used to fit all the experimental data and a good fitting equation is found to describe the kinetic process of the photoelectric signal. Data fitting resolves six exponential components that can be assigned to a seven-step BR photocycle model: BR-->K-->KL-->L-->M-->N-->O-->BR. Comparing tests of the BR photodetector with a 100-ps Si PIN photodiode demonstrates that this type of BIR photocletector has at least 100-ps response time and can also serve as a fast photoelectric switch. (C) 2003 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Optical image processing using the photoinduced anisotropy of pyrrylfulgide

A synthesized photochromic compound-pyrrylfulgide-is prepared as a thin film doped in a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix. Under irradiation by UV light, the film converts from the bleached state into a colored state that has a maximum absorption at 635 nm and is thermally stable at room temperature. When the colored state is irradiated by a linearly polarized 650 nm laser, the film returns to the bleached state; photoinduced anisotropy is produced during this process. Application of optical image processing methods using the photoinduced anisotropy of the pyrrylfulgide/PMMA film is described. Examples in non-Fourier optical image processing, such as contrast reversal and image subtraction and summation, as well as in Fourier optical image processing, such as low-pass filtering and edge enhancement, are presented. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.