title: Protein-based ultrafast photonic switching.
abstract: Several inorganic and organic materials have been suggested for utilization as nonlinear optical material performing light-controlled active functions in integrated optical circuits, however, none of them is considered to be the optimal solution. Here we present the first demonstration of a subpicosecond photonic switch by an alternative approach, where the active role is performed by a material of biological origin: the chromoprotein bacteriorhodopsin, via its ultrafast BR->K and BR->I transitions. The results may serve as a basis for the future realization of protein-based integrated optical devices that can eventually lead to a conceptual revolution in the development of telecommunications technologies.
authors: Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 521, 6701 Szeged, Hungary.
authors: László
authors: L
authors: Fábián
authors: Zsuzsanna
authors: Z
authors: Heiner
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Mero
authors: Miklós
authors: M
authors: Kiss
authors: Elmar K
authors: EK
authors: Wolff
authors: Pál
authors: P
authors: Ormos
authors: Károly
authors: K
authors: Osvay
authors: András
authors: A
authors: Dér
mesh_terms: D001436:Bacteriorhodopsins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D055096:Optical Devices; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D017785:Photons; D013685:Telecommunications
chemical_list: D001436:Bacteriorhodopsins