Considerations for the Implementation of 2D Protein Based Memory

Abstract

The effect of double erasure on Monolayer Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) protein films after photonic excitation to the ultra stable Q-state is studied. It was found that the pronounced emission of 755 nm light occurs only as the protein is made to transition from the Q-state to the ground state via irradiation with blue light. Requirements for the implementation of a next generation Protein-Based Memory (PBM) device utilizing monolayer BR films are considered. The finite element method was used to simulate the optical intensity distribution of nano-aperture waveguides for Red (650 nm), Green (510 nm) and Blue (475 nm) light to analyze the utility of nanoaperture transducers for use in a Protein Based Memory device. The minimum output power required to induce a photochromic transition in BR is calculated to be between 20 nW and 27 nW on a 30 nm spot depending upon the operating wavelength.