Quantum coherent energy transport in the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex at low temperature
Abstract
Significance We use ultrafast two-dimensional optical spectroscopy to study the primary steps in the energy transport in photosynthesis using the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex as a model. By varying temperature to modify the intensity of decohering fluctuations, we determine the onset of quantum coherence effects at an ultralow temperature of 20 K. A theoretical analysis shows that this electronic quantum coherence can be separated from the pronounced vibrational coherences accompanying energy transport. We provide a complete picture of the lifetimes of electronic and vibrational quantum coherences and show that energy transport occurs under strong system–bath interactions. Electronic coherence can in principle sustain energy transfer at 20 K but rapidly fades away with increasing temperatures, becoming irrelevant under physiological conditions.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Chaos and quantum thermalization
- The Dalton quantum chemistry program system
- Cord Blood Leptin and Adiponectin as Predictors of Adiposity in Children at 3 Years of Age: A Prospective Cohort Study
- Quantitative metabolomics by H-NMR and LC-MS/MS confirms altered metabolic pathways in diabetes
- Stable adiabatic quantum batteries
- A novel self-lipid antigen targets human T cells against CD1c(+) leukemias
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.