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DNA: material for photonics and biotronics

The role of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as the genetic information carrier in living organisms is well known. Less known is the fact that the unique structure of DNA molecules can also be of use in fabricating novel materials for applications in photonics and electronics. A new term: “biotronics” was coined to describe the use of bioderived materials in these two technologies. Bioderived (and also biomimetic and bioinspired) materials are of immense current interest because they can provide novel, attractive physical properties while being able to be produced by “green”: environment-friendly technologies. 

Here are our recent papers on these subjects:

M. Samoc, A. Samoc and J. G. Grote, Complex nonlinear refractive index of DNA, Chem. Phys. Lett.  431, 132-134 (2006)

A. Samoc, A. Miniewicz, M. Samoc and J. G. Grote, Refractive Index Anisotropy and Optical Dispersion in Films of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 105, 236-245 (2007), http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.26082

P. Gupta, P. P. Markowicz, K. Baba, J. O’Reilly, M. Samoc, P. N. Prasad and J. G. Grote, DNA-ormocer based biocomposite for fabrication of photonic structures, Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 213109 (2006)

A. Samoc, M. Samoc, J. G. Grote, A. Miniewicz, B. Luther-Davies, Optical properties of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) polymer host, Proc. SPIE, 6401, 640106-1-10 (2006)

A. Miniewicz, A. Kochalska, J. Mysliwiec, A. Samoc, M. Samoc, J. G. Grote, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based photochromic material for fast dynamic holography, Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 041118 (2007)

M. Samoc, A. Samoc, A. Miniewicz, P. P. Markowicz, P. N. Prasad and J. G. Grote, Cubic nonlinear optical effects in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) based materials containing chromophores, Proc. SPIE, 6646, 66460A (2007), http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.736587

A. Samoc, Z. Galewski, M. Samoc and J. G. Grote, Prism coupler and microscopic investigations of DNA films, Proc. SPIE, 6646, 664607 (2007) http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.737248