Non-classicality of the molecular vibrations assisting exciton energy transfer at room temperature.

ABSTRACT: Advancing the debate on quantum effects in light-initiated reactions in biology requires clear identification of non-classical features that these processes can exhibit and utilize. Here we show that in prototype dimers present in a variety of photosynthetic antennae, efficient vibration-assisted energy transfer in the sub-picosecond timescale and at room temperature can manifest and benefit from non-classical fluctuations of collective pigment motions. Non-classicality of initially thermalized vibrations is induced via coherent exciton-vibration interactions and is unambiguously indicated by negativities in the phase-space quasi-probability distribution of the effective collective mode coupled to the electronic dynamics. These quantum effects can be prompted upon incoherent input of excit

SUBMITTER: O'Reilly EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3896760 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature