• Featured in Physics

Equivalence of quantum and classical coherence in electronic energy transfer

John S. Briggs and Alexander Eisfeld
Phys. Rev. E 83, 051911 – Published 12 May 2011
Physics logo See Synopsis: Photosynthesis disentangled?

Abstract

To investigate the effect of quantum coherence on electronic energy transfer, which is the subject of current interest in photosynthesis, we solve the problem of transport for the simplest model of an aggregate of monomers interacting through dipole-dipole forces using both quantum and classical dynamics. We conclude that for realistic coupling strengths quantum and classical coherent transport are identical. This is demonstrated by numerical calculations for a linear chain and for the photosynthetic Fenna-Matthews-Olson complex.

    • Received 26 November 2010

    DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.83.051911

    ©2011 American Physical Society

    Synopsis

    Key Image

    Photosynthesis disentangled?

    Published 12 May 2011

    According to calculations, a quantum version of energy transfer in plants would not necessarily offer any speedup compared to its classical counterpart.

    See more in Physics

    Authors & Affiliations

    John S. Briggs* and Alexander Eisfeld

    • Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, D-01187 Dresden, Germany

    • *briggs@physik.uni-freiburg.de
    • eisfeld@pks.mpg.de

    Article Text (Subscription Required)

    Click to Expand

    References (Subscription Required)

    Click to Expand
    Issue

    Vol. 83, Iss. 5 — May 2011

    Reuse & Permissions
    Access Options
    Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

    Authorization Required


    ×
    ×

    Images

    ×

    Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review E

    Log In

    Cancel
    ×

    Search


    Article Lookup

    Paste a citation or DOI

    Enter a citation
    ×