Nanoscale electrical conductivity of the purple membrane monolayer

I. Casuso, L. Fumagalli, J. Samitier, E. Padrós, L. Reggiani, V. Akimov, and G. Gomila
Phys. Rev. E 76, 041919 – Published 31 October 2007
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Abstract

Nanoscale electron transport through the purple membrane monolayer, a two-dimensional crystal lattice of the transmembrane protein bacteriorhodopsin, is studied by conductive atomic force microscopy. We demonstrate that the purple membrane exhibits nonresonant tunneling transport, with two characteristic tunneling regimes depending on the applied voltage (direct and Fowler-Nordheim). Our results show that the purple membrane can carry significant current density at the nanometer scale, several orders of magnitude larger than previously estimated by macroscale measurements.

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  • Received 29 December 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.76.041919

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

I. Casuso1, L. Fumagalli1, J. Samitier1, E. Padrós2, L. Reggiani3, V. Akimov3, and G. Gomila1

  • 1Deptartment Electrònica, Universitat de Barcelona and Laboratori de Nanobioenginyeria-IBEC, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • 2Unitat de Biofísica, Department de Bioquímica i de Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina i Centre d’Estudis en Biofísica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • 3CNR-INFM National Nanotechnology Laboratory, Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Innovazione, Università di Lecce, Lecce, Italy

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Issue

Vol. 76, Iss. 4 — October 2007

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