Dark states in quantum photosynthesis

TL;DR

This paper presents a quantum model of photosynthesis highlighting how degeneracy and interactions with light and phonons lead to the formation of non-decaying dark states, explaining experimental observations like photonic echoes.

Contribution

It introduces a new quantum model that explains dark state formation in photosynthesis due to non-parallel dipole interactions, linking theory to spectroscopic phenomena.

Findings

Dark states are non-decaying due to degeneracy and dipole interactions.

The model explains the photonic echo observed in experiments.

Dark states could enhance energy transfer efficiency in photosynthesis.

Abstract

We discuss a model of quantum photosynthesis with degeneracy in the light-harvesting system. We consider interaction of excitons in chromophores with light and phonons (vibrations of environment). These interactions have dipole form but are different (are related to non-parallel vectors of "bright" states). We show that this leads to excitation of non-decaying "dark" states. We discuss relation of this model to the known from spectroscopical experiments phenomenon of existence of photonic echo in quantum photosynthesis.