Dynamic Holographic Nonlinear Optical Materials

The goal of this Phase I SBIR is to deliver prototype materials capable of sustaining real-time holographic recording. The key approach will be the use of bacteriorhodopsin thin films as read/write holographic storage media. During the six month period that is the subject of this grant proposal, we plan to test the feasibility of this approach by performing the materials devel- opment and characterization experiments described in Section E. Briefly, the specific objectives of this Phase I proposal are to: a. Develop a process to make prototype, uniform, optical quality thin films of bacteriorhodopsin or bacteriorhodopsin-polymer films; b. Test the holographic properties of the thin films of bacteriorhodopsin, including diffraction efficiency, sensitivity and response times; c. Develop concepts and designs for materials improvements that optimize the quality of bacteriorhodopsin films for dynamic holography. During Phase II, we plan to produce and optimize the bacteriorhodopsin variants conceptualized during the Phase I effort. Properties to be optimized include protein growth and expression parameters, synthesis techniques and materials processing and deposition techniques.