Natural Regulation of Energy Flow in a Green Quantum Photocell

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a two-channel quantum heat engine photocell naturally regulates energy flow under fluctuating solar irradiance, improving efficiency and offering insights into photoprotection and the dominance of green plants.

Contribution

It reveals a quantum structural mechanism for regulation in photocells, suggesting a new design strategy for light-harvesting devices.

Findings

Regulation arises naturally in a two-channel quantum heat engine photocell.

Absorption in the green spectrum is avoided due to lack of regulatory benefit.

The study links quantum regulation mechanisms to photosynthesis and plant evolution.

Abstract

Manipulating the flow of energy in nanoscale and molecular photonic devices is of both fundamental interest and central importance for applications in light harvesting optoelectronics. Under erratic solar irradiance conditions, unregulated power fluctuations in a light harvesting photocell lead to inefficient energy storage in conventional solar cells and potentially fatal oxidative damage in photosynthesis. Here, we show that regulation against these fluctuations arises naturally within a two-channel quantum heat engine photocell, thus enabling the efficient conversion of varying incident solar spectrum at Earth's surface. Remarkably, absorption in the green portion of the spectrum is avoided, as it provides no inherent regulatory benefit. Our findings illuminate a quantum structural origin of regulation, provide a novel optoelectronic design strategy, and may elucidate the link between photoprotection in photosynthesis and the predominance of green plants on Earth.