A band model for melanin deducted from optical absorption and photoconductivity experiments.
Natural and synthetic melanins have been studied by optical absorption and photoconductivity measurements in the range 200--700 nm. Both optical absorption and photoconductivity increase in the ultraviolet region, and a negative photoconductivity was observed with a maximum near 500 nm. This behaviour has been interpreted by the band model of amorphous materials and an "optical gap" of 3.4 eV has been determined.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008027:Light; D008543:Melanins / Q000528:radiation effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D010777:Photochemistry; D013053:Spectrophotometry
D008543:Melanins