Decoherence in the chemical compass: The role of decoherence for avian magnetoreception

TL;DR

This paper challenges the traditional view of decoherence as purely destructive by demonstrating its constructive role in quantum dynamics, particularly in biological systems like avian magnetoreception, through a spin chemistry example.

Contribution

It introduces a new perspective on decoherence, showing it can enhance quantum effects and aid in biological quantum sensing mechanisms.

Findings

Decoherence can facilitate quantum dynamics rather than hinder it.

A spin chemistry example illustrates constructive decoherence in biological systems.

Implications for understanding avian magnetoreception mechanisms.

Abstract

Contrary to the usual picture that decoherence destroys quantum properties and causes the quantum-to-classical transition, we argue that decoherence can also play a constructive role in driving quantum dynamics and amplifying its results to macroscopic scales. We support this perspective by presenting an example system from spin chemistry, which is also of importance for biological systems, e.g. in avian magnetoreception.