Quantum dynamics in light-harvesting complexes: Beyond the single-exciton limit

TL;DR

This paper explores quantum energy transfer in light-harvesting complexes beyond the single-exciton limit, demonstrating high efficiency in the Fenna-Matthew-Olson complex under realistic conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum model that accounts for multiple excitons, extending previous single-exciton models to better understand natural photosynthesis.

Findings

Energy transfer efficiency exceeds 90%

Model accurately describes FMO complex dynamics

Supports the role of quantum coherence in photosynthesis

Abstract

Primitive photosynthetic cells appear over three billion years prior to any other more complex life-forms, thus it is reasonable to assume that Nature has designed a photosynthetic mechanism using minimal resources but honed to perfection under the action of evolution. A number of different quantum models have been proposed to understand the high degree of efficient energy transport, most of them are limited to the scenario of single-exciton. Here we present a study on the dynamics in light-harvesting complexes beyond the single exciton limit, and show how this model describes the energy transfer in the Fenna-Matthew-Olson (FMO) complex. We find that the energy transfer efficiency above 90% under realistic conditions is achievable.