Quantum Coherence and non-Markovianity in Photosynthesis
Experimental evidences of long-lasting quantum coherence in the excitation energy transfer (EET) through photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes (such as FMO complex) have been reported since 2008 [1-4]. These observations together with the some other unexpected quantum coherence related observations (magneto-reception in birds and olfactory sense) in biological systems [5] led to a quest for novel theoretical explanations of these observations. It is argued that existence of quantum coherent superposition of excitons in the EET can bring an explanation [5] [6]. However, in large and noisy systems, coherence cannot live long. Yet this still can be explained by an interplay of non-Markovianity, open system quantum dynamics, and quantum coherence [7]. In our project, we are aiming to approach these observations in natural photosynthesis by realistic energy transfer models taking into account memory effects in the environment and quantum coherence; and then by following a bio-mimetic approach, we will propose efficient artificial photosynthesis systems. Intriguingly, our results could have broader scope as it is related to the interplay of quantum information and energy in non-Markovian open systems dynamics and could impact information storage and manipulation ways for quantum communication and computations.
References
- 1. G.S. Engel, et al., Nature 446, 2007 .
- 2. E. Collini, et al., Nature 463, 2010.
- 3. G. Panitchayangkoon, et al., PNAS, 2010.
- 4. G. Panitchayangkoon, et al., PNAS, 2011.
- 5. S.F. Huelga and M.B. Plenio, Contemporary Physics, 2013.
- 6. R.L. Purchase and H.J.M. de Groot, Rep. Prog. Phys., 2015.
- 7. A. W. Chin, et al., New J. Phys., 2010.