Grating formation in 13-demethyl bacteriorhodopsin film

Holographic properties of a 13-demethyl retinal bacteriorhodopsin (13-demet hyl BR) film in gelatin matrix were investigated and compared to those of a native bacteriorhodopsin (BRWT) film. A two-wave mixing experiment was per formed to study the self-diffraction efficiency of the samples, The rise an d the decay of the grating in the 13-demethyl BR film was measured. The fil m is relatively slow enabling the recording of simultaneous gratings. Phase conjugate reflectivity was measured by a four-wave mixing experiment, Diff raction efficiency and phase conjugate reflectivity of the 13-demethyl BR f ilm were observed to be comparable to those of the BRWT film.