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The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis01:34

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Purification of Active Photosystem I-Light Harvesting Complex I from Plant Tissues
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Does Coherence Enhance Transport in Photosynthesis?

Ivan Kassal1, Joel Yuen-Zhou1, Saleh Rahimi-Keshari1

  • 1†Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, ‡Centre for Quantum Computing and Communication Technology, and ¶School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|August 19, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Quantum effects in photosynthesis are explored. While not all quantum phenomena enhance efficiency in sunlight, specific partially coherent processes offer insights for artificial light harvesting optimization.

Keywords:
ENAQTexciton transportincoherent excitationquantum biologysupertransfertransport efficiency

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Area of Science:

  • Quantum biology
  • Photosynthesis research
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Recent observations suggest coherence in photosynthetic complexes.
  • The role of quantum effects in vivo under natural sunlight is debated.
  • High exciton transfer efficiency in photosynthesis needs explanation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate quantum effects in natural photosynthesis under steady-state, incoherent sunlight.
  • To differentiate between state coherence and process coherence in photosynthetic pathways.
  • To identify mechanisms that enhance exciton transfer efficiency in artificial light harvesting.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of quantum dynamics in photosynthetic systems.
  • Distinguishing between state and process coherence.
  • Evaluating mechanisms like wavelike motion, microscopic coherence, ENAQT, and supertransfer.

Main Results:

  • Photosynthesis in nature proceeds through stationary states, not solely wavelike motion.
  • Microscopic coherence alone does not enhance exciton transfer efficiency in sunlight.
  • Partially coherent processes, specifically ENAQT and supertransfer, can enhance transport under sunlight.

Conclusions:

  • The distinction between state and process coherence is crucial for understanding quantum effects in photosynthesis.
  • Certain partially coherent mechanisms are promising for optimizing artificial sunlight harvesting.
  • Ultrafast spectroscopy is vital for elucidating incoherent processes in biological systems.