Issue 27, 2010

Quantum coherence and its interplay with protein environments in photosynthetic electronic energy transfer

Abstract

Recent experiments suggest that electronic energy transfer in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes involves long-lived quantum coherence among electronic excitations of pigments. [Engel et al., Nature, 2007, 446, 782–786.] The observation has led to the suggestion that quantum coherence might play a significant role in achieving the remarkable efficiency of photosynthetic light harvesting. At the same time, the observation has raised questions regarding the role of the surrounding protein in protecting the quantum coherence. In this Perspective, we provide an overview of recent experimental and theoretical investigations of photosynthetic electronic energy transfer paying particular attention to the underlying mechanisms of long-lived quantum coherence and its non-Markovian interplay with the protein environment.

Graphical abstract: Quantum coherence and its interplay with protein environments in photosynthetic electronic energy transfer

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
18 Feb 2010
Accepted
24 May 2010
First published
12 Jun 2010

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2010,12, 7319-7337

Quantum coherence and its interplay with protein environments in photosynthetic electronic energy transfer

A. Ishizaki, T. R. Calhoun, G. S. Schlau-Cohen and G. R. Fleming, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2010, 12, 7319 DOI: 10.1039/C003389H

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements