Linear Dichroism Microscopy Resolves Competing Structural Models of a Synthetic Light-Harvesting Complex.

ABSTRACT: The initial stages of photosynthesis in light-harvesting antennae, driven by excitonic energy transport, have inspired the design of artificial light-harvesting complexes. Double-walled nanotubes (DWNTs) formed from the cyanine dye C8S3 provide a robust, self-assembled system that mimics natural chlorosomes in both structure and optical properties. Two competing molecular packing models─bricklayer (BL) and herringbone (HB)─have been proposed to explain the structural and optical characteristics of these DWNTs. This study resolves the debate by combining theoretical analysis with advanced polarization-resolved wide-field photoluminescence microscopy. Quantum-classical simulations reveal reduced linear dichroism (LDr) as a decisive parameter for distinguishing between the models. Experimenta

SUBMITTER: Kuevda AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11848924 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature