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Measurement of Ultrafast Vibrational Coherences in Polyatomic Radical Cations with Strong-Field Adiabatic Ionization
Published on: August 6, 2018
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Vibronic coherence in oxygenic photosynthesis
Franklin D Fuller1, Jie Pan1, Andrius Gelzinis2
1Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
Nature Chemistry
|July 24, 2014
Summary
Photosynthesis uses light energy to split water. Researchers observed long-lasting quantum coherence in photosystem II reaction centers, potentially boosting charge separation efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Photosynthesis research
- Quantum biology
Background:
- Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy via antenna complexes and reaction centers.
- Oxygenic photosynthesis utilizes photosystem II (PSII) reaction centers to split water, a crucial energy conversion step.
- Previous studies observed quantum coherences in antenna complexes, suggesting a role in energy transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate coherent dynamics in the photosystem II reaction center.
- To determine if quantum effects play a role in charge separation within PSII.
- To explore the nature and timescale of these coherences at low temperatures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) at 77 K.
- Performed supporting theoretical simulations.
- Analyzed the observed spectral dynamics.
Main Results:
- Observed coherent dynamics persisting on a picosecond timescale in the PSII reaction center.
- Identified these coherences as having a mixed electronic-vibrational (vibronic) nature.
- Simulations supported the experimental findings of vibronic coherences.
Conclusions:
- Quantum coherence is present in the photosystem II reaction center.
- These long-lived vibronic coherences may enhance the efficiency of charge separation in oxygenic photosynthesis.
- This finding opens new avenues for understanding and potentially engineering photosynthetic processes.
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