Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
Single-shot ultrabroadband two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy of the light-harvesting complex LH2
Elad Harel1, Phillip D Long, Gregory S Engel
1The James Franck Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Abstract:
Here we present two-dimensional (2D) electronic spectra of the light-harvesting complex LH2 from purple bacteria using coherent pulses with bandwidth of over 100 nm FWHM. This broadband excitation and detection has allowed the simultaneous capture of both the B800 and B850 bands using a single light source. We demonstrate that one laser pulse is sufficient to capture the entire 2D electronic spectrum with a high signal-to-noise ratio. At a waiting time of 800 fs, we observe population transfer from the B800 to B850 band as manifested by a prominent cross peak. These results will enable observation of the dynamics of biological systems across both ultrafast (<1 ps) and slower (>1 ms) timescales simultaneously.
Related Concept Videos
UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Conjugated Systems
One of the factors influencing λmax is the extent of conjugation in the...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
UV–Vis Spectrometers
Photosystem II
The pigment molecules are arranged across two photosystem domains — the antenna complex and the reaction center. The main aim of the pigment molecules...
Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview
The Antenna Complex
