Understanding Design Principles behind Photosynthesis: Insights from
Two Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy

Gregory Engel
LBNL, Physical Biosciences Division
University of California, Berkeley




Abstract:

Two dimensional electronic spectroscopy provides detailed information about electronic structure and electronic dynamics on ultrafast timescales. Probing chromophores embedded within photosynthetic complexes with this technique, we are able to observe the underlying design principles that drive photosynthesis. In particular we see strong evidence for long lived coherences after excitation, coherence transfer as well as population transfer. New techniques leveraging novel polarization schemes to isolate individual response pathways will be presented along with further evidence for quantum beating and coherence transfer within photosynthetic protein complexes.