Protein-based Disk Recording

这项研究的目的是研究基于蛋白质的光盘记录的破坏性技术，通过使用近场光学换能器(纳米激光器)在光敏蛋白质表面记录/存储/检索信息，并展示超过10太比特/英寸的面密度的潜力。该方法是将光致变色蛋白质的独特和无与伦比的光学特性与新兴的热辅助磁记录领域的最先进技术相结合。这些性质包括具有光周期的2 nm分子的热稳定性和结构稳定性，其特征跃迁时间约为几皮秒。智能优点：这一多学科项目的重点将是设备集成，而不是蛋白质的生物物理。一个“无光圈”的近场光学系统将被用来将光聚焦到直径小于30纳米的光斑中。为了制造独特的超高通量纳米激光器，以获得足够的信噪比，将使用聚焦离子束在半导体二极管的金属涂层发射边缘上定义纳米级的孔。布罗德影响UCR是美国种族最多元化的研究机构之一。调查人员承诺尽一切努力确保参与该项目的学生的多样性，特别是以吸引更多内陆帝国地区的年轻人进入博士项目为目标。这一努力还要求与K-12学校进行接触。最后，预计基于蛋白质的高风险存储器的研究不仅可以跨越数据存储行业，还可以重振国家在分子电子学方面的倡议。

The objective of this research is to study the disruptive technology of protein-based disk recording through recording/storing/retrieving information on the surface of a photosensitive protein using near-field optical transducers (nanolasers) and demonstrate the potential for areal densities beyond 10 Terabit/in2. The approach is to integrate unique and unmatched optical properties of photochromic proteins with the state-of-the-art in the emerging field of heat-assisted magnetic recording. These properties include thermal and structural stability of 2-nm molecules with a photocycle with a characteristic transition time of the order of a few picoseconds.Intellectual Merit:The emphasis of this multidisciplinary project will be on the device integration rather than the biophysics of proteins. An "apertureless" near-field optical system will be utilized to focus light into a spot size of less than 30 nm in diameter. To manufacture unique ultra-high throughput nanolasers, as necessary for adequate signal to noise ratio, focused ion beam will be used to define nanoscale apertures on a metal-coated emitting edge of a semiconducting diode.Broader ImpactsUCR is one of America's most ethnically diverse research institutions. The investigators commit to make every effort to assure diversity among the students involved in this project and especially with the goal to attract more young people in the region of Inland Empire to enroll in Ph.D.programs. This effort also calls for outreach to K-12 schools. Finally, it is anticipated that the study of the "high-risk" protein-based memory could not only leapfrog the data storage industry but also revive the national initiative in molecular electronics.