Photoconduction in bacteriorhodopsin/GaAs heterostructures

Abstract

Observation of transient and steady-state photoconduction across an indium tin oxide (ITO)/bacteriorhodopsin(bR)/GaAs heterostructure, with the bacteriorhodopsin acting as the light-sensitive material, is reported. The protein is dissolved in polyvinyl alcohol and the film dried after deposition. The steady state photoconduction is probably caused by the pH change at the bR/ITO interface owing to proton release from the bR upon photoexcitation, and is therefore an electrochemical effect.