Nonlinear photoinduced anisotropy and modifiable optical image display in a bacteriorhodopsin/polymer composite film.

The nonlinear photoinduced anisotropy with large birefringence in a bacteriorhodopsin/polymer composite (bR/PC) film was observed. The contrast ratio, a ratio of the maximum to the minimum intensity of transmitted probe light through the bR/PC film within the linear gray scale range could reach ∼350:1. An all-optical image display in different colors was performed. The intensity of the transmitted signal could be modulated by adjusting the multibeam polarization states and intensities. Therefore, the positive image, negative image, and image erasure in display were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]