Dresden 2014 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 12: Posters: Imaging
BP 12.10: Poster
Tuesday, April 1, 2014, 09:30–12:30, P1
Probing quantum coherence in light-harvesting (LH1) complexes using FRET from a single nitrogen vacancy center — •Priyadharshini Balasubramanian1, Anna Ermakova1, Chris Schroeder2, Liam McGuinness1, Felipe Caycedo-Soler2, Caroline Autenrieth3, Susana Huelga2, Martin Plenio2, Robin Ghosh3, and Fedor Jelezko1 — 1Institute for Quantum Optics, University of Ulm — 2Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Ulm — 3Institute of Biology, University of Stuttgart
The formidable quantum efficiency of light harvesting complexes in photosynthetic organisms have been attributed to the long-lived quantum coherence effects. Experiments with ensemble of LH1 complex, have reported the observation of quantum coherence in the time scale of picoseconds range, but the results suffer from ensemble averaging over inhomogeneous distribution of site energy. Here we propose single molecule - Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer(FRET) experiment between a single NV center in diamond and the LH1 complexes, to probe the inter-ring coherence dynamics. The path of excitonic energy transfer(EET) between the rings will be measured by injecting excitation locally to a chromophore via a single NV center attached to an AFM tip, and the fluorescent emission is detected from a single red-shifted LH1 in the membrane. The distance traversed by the excitation energy in the membrane gives insight on the contribution of quantum coherence to the inter-ring energy transfer dynamics. Unraveling the role of coherent dynamics in the process of light-harvesting could provide inspiration for artificial photosynthesis.