The Mathematics of Chlorophyll Photoexcitation

TL;DR

This paper provides a quantum chemical and mathematical framework for understanding the electronic state transitions in chlorophyll molecules during photosynthesis, emphasizing the Franck-Condon principle and its implications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mathematical model of chlorophyll photoexcitation based on diatomic rovibrational transitions and discusses its relevance to quantum chemical theory in photosynthesis.

Findings

Electronic transitions modeled as diatomic rovibrational 0 --> 0 transitions

Correlation of Franck-Condon principle with chlorophyll photoexcitation

Discussion of future quantum chemical research directions

Abstract

Photosynthesis is a fundamental process for plants to produce energy and survive. It is a well known fact that the light reactions in photosynthesis are a significant part of the overall process, and are carried out by chlorophyll molecules. This paper outlines the quantum chemical and mathematical description concerning electronic state transitions that take place in chlorophyll molecules during photosynthesis. In particular, the electronic transition of chlorophylls is assumed as a diatomic rovibrational 0 --> 0 transition, and is mathematically described accordingly. Then, the correlation of the Franck-Condon Principle in accordance to the photoexcitation of chlorophylls is delineated. Finally, existing research concerning the concepts laid out in this paper is discussed, and future implications of quantum chemical theory concerning chlorophyll photoexcitation is discussed.