The optimization topography of exciton transport

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that quantum interference in optimized molecular networks can significantly enhance exciton transport efficiency, outperforming classical noise-induced transport.

Contribution

It reveals that configurations maximizing quantum interference lead to faster exciton transfer than classical mechanisms, highlighting the quantum nature of efficient photosynthetic processes.

Findings

Optimized quantum interference configurations reduce transfer times.

Quantum interference surpasses classical noise in efficiency.

Random networks can be tuned for optimal quantum transport.

Abstract

Stunningly large exciton transfer rates in the light harvesting complex of photosynthesis, together with recent experimental 2D spectroscopic data, have spurred a vivid debate on the possible quantum origin of such efficiency. Here we show that configurations of a random molecular network that optimize constructive quantum interference from input to output site yield systematically shorter transfer times than classical transport induced by ambient dephasing noise.