Resonant optical rectification in bacteriorhodopsin

Resonant Optical Rectification in Chiral Molecular Systems: Application to a Three-level Mode

Linear and nonlinear interactions of an electromagnetic wave with molecules of an isotropic medium induce in them multipole moments which contribute to electric polarization of the system [1]. Out of absorption bands optical rectification (OR) via the second-order susceptibility is forbidden but the fourth-order dipolar electric nonlinearity may cause OR in chiral liquids [2]. However, in absor...

All-optical switching with bacteriorhodopsin

All-optical, mirrorless switching and bistability is demonstrated with bacteriorhodopsin (bR). A low-power, 532 nm laser beam modulates the transmission of a cw laser beam at 635 nm that corresponds to peak absorption of the Oexcited state in the bR photocycle. The switch has features like a NOT-gate; its switching contrast depends on the pulse width and average power of the modulating laser. T...

Resonant rectification of fluctuations in a Brownian ratchet

Resonant activation, rectification of fluctuations, and current reversal, are investigated numerically in an asymmetric periodic potential. The results are compared to recent predictions based on the theory of the logarithmic susceptibility. Possible applications are discussed. The phenomenon of resonant activation – a field-induced resonant reduction of the lifetime of a metastable state – was...

Optical rectification at semiconductor surfaces.

Optical CDMA system using bacteriorhodopsin for optical data storage

An optical CDMA (code division multiple access) system for the optical data storage using bacteriorhodopsin (BR) is reported as an application of the BR materials. The desired signal of multiple input can be recorded and reconstructed by use of orthogonal codes. An experimental setup is proposed and demonstrated.