Flows in nonequilibrium quantum systems and quantum photosynthesis

TL;DR

This paper investigates the behavior of a three-level quantum system in nonequilibrium environments, analyzing stationary states, flows, and their relevance to quantum photosynthesis, including exciton dynamics and coherences.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of nonequilibrium stationary states and flows in a three-level quantum system, with applications to quantum photosynthesis.

Findings

Stationary states are non-equilibrium and generate flows.

Flow dependence on environmental states is characterized.

Application to quantum photosynthesis explains exciton flows and coherences.

Abstract

A three level quantum system interacting with nonequilibrium environment is investigated. The stationary state of the system is found (both for non-coherent and coherent environment) and relaxation and decoherence to the stationary state is described. The stationary state of the system will be non-equilibrium and will generate flows. We describe the dependence of the flows on the state of the environment. We also discuss application of this model to the problem of quantum photosynthesis, in particular, to description of flows of excitons and generation of excitonic coherences.