Donatas Zigmantas

Quantum coherence in photosynthesis for efficient solar-energy conversion

The crucial step in the conversion of solar to chemical energy in Photosynthesis takes place in the reaction center where the absorbed excitation energy is converted into a stable charge separated state by ultrafast electron transfer events. However, the fundamental mechanism responsible for the near unity quantum efficiency of this process is unknown. Here we elucidate the role of coherence in determining the efficiency of charge separation in the plant photosystem II reaction centre (PSII RC) by comprehensively combining experiment (two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy) and theory (Redfield theory). We reveal the presence of electronic coherence between excitons as well as between exciton and charge transfer states which we argue to be maintained by vibrational modes. Furthermore, we present evidence for the strong correlation between the degree of electronic coherence and efficient and ultrafast charge separation. We propose that this coherent mechanism will inspire the development of new energy technologies.

Zeaxanthin Radical Cation Formation in Minor Light-Harvesting Complexes of Higher Plant Antenna

Previous work on intact thylakoid membranes showed that transient formation of a zeaxanthin radical cation was correlated with regulation of photosynthetic light-harvesting via energy-dependent quenching. A molecular mechanism for such quenching was proposed to involve charge transfer within a chlorophyll-zeaxanthin heterodimer. Using near infrared (880-1100 nm) transient absorption spectroscopy, we demonstrate that carotenoid (mainly zeaxanthin) radical cation generation occurs solely in isolated minor light-harvesting complexes that bind zeaxanthin, consistent with the engagement of charge transfer quenching therein. We estimated that less than 0.5% of the isolated minor complexes undergo charge transfer quenching in vitro, whereas the fraction of minor complexes estimated to be engaged in charge transfer quenching in isolated thylakoids was more than 80 times higher. We conclude that minor complexes which bind zeaxanthin are sites of charge transfer quenching in vivo and that they can assume Non-quenching and Quenching conformations, the equilibrium LHC(N) ⇆ LHC(Q) of which is modulated by the transthylakoid pH gradient, the PsbS protein, and protein-protein interactions.

Carotenoid to chlorophyll energy transfer in the peridinin-chlorophyll-a-protein complex involves an intramolecular charge transfer state

Carotenoids are, along with chlorophylls, crucial pigments involved in light-harvesting processes in photosynthetic organisms. Details of carotenoid to chlorophyll energy transfer mechanisms and their dependence on structural variability of carotenoids are as yet poorly understood. Here, we employ femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to reveal energy transfer pathways in the peridinin–chlorophyll-a–protein (PCP) complex containing the highly substituted carotenoid peridinin, which includes an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state in its excited state manifold. Extending the transient absorption spectra toward near-infrared region (600–1800 nm) allowed us to separate contributions from different low-lying excited states of peridinin. The results demonstrate a special light-harvesting strategy in the PCP complex that uses the ICT state of peridinin to enhance energy transfer efficiency.

Two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy of the B800–B820 light-harvesting complex

Emerging nonlinear optical spectroscopies enable deeper insight into the intricate world of interactions and dynamics of complex molecular systems. 2D electronic spectroscopy appears to be especially well suited for studying multichromophoric complexes such as light-harvesting complexes of photosynthetic organisms as it allows direct observation of couplings between the pigments and charts dynamics of energy flow on a 2D frequency map. Here, we demonstrate that a single 2D experiment combined with self-consistent theoretical modeling can determine spectroscopic parameters dictating excitation energy dynamics in the bacterial B800–B820 light-harvesting complex, which contains 27 bacteriochlorophyll molecules. Ultrafast sub-50-fs dynamics dominated by coherent intraband processes and population transfer dynamics on a picosecond time scale were measured and modeled with one consistent set of parameters. Theoretical 2D spectra were calculated by using a Frenkel exciton model and modified Förster/Redfield theory for the calculation of dynamics. They match the main features of experimental spectra at all population times well, implying that the energy level structure and transition dipole strengths are modeled correctly in addition to the energy transfer dynamics of the system.

Vibrational vs. electronic coherences in 2D spectrum of molecular systems

Two-dimensional spectroscopy has recently revealed the oscillatory behavior of the excitation dynamics of molecular systems. However, in the majority of cases there is considerable debate over what is actually being observed: excitonic or vibrational wavepacket motion or evidence of quantum transport. In this letter we present a method for distinguishing between vibrational and excitonic wavepacket motion, based on the phase and amplitude relationships of oscillations of distinct peaks as revealed through a fundamental analysis of the two-dimensional spectra of two representative systems

Dynamics of vibrational relaxation in the S-1 state of carotenoids having 11 conjugated C=C bonds

Transient absorption spectra and kinetics in the 470-650 nm region were recorded for lycopene, P-carotene and zeaxanthin, all carotenoids with 11 conjugated double bonds, in two solvents with different polarity. Analysis of the red wing of the carotenoid SI-S, transition revealed presence of a pronounced shoulder at early delay times. The kinetics recorded at this low-energy shoulder of the SI-S, transition yields an additional decay component of 500-800 fs in addition to the main S, decay. This dynamics is ascribed to a vibrational relaxation in the S, state of the carotenoids

Real-time observation of multiexcitonic states in ultrafast singlet fission using coherent 2D electronic spectroscopy

Singlet fission is the spin-allowed conversion of a spin-singlet exciton into a pair of spin-triplet excitons residing on neighbouring molecules. To rationalize this phenomenon, a multiexcitonic spin-zero triplet-pair state has been hypothesized as an intermediate in singlet fission. However, the nature of the intermediate states and the underlying mechanism of ultrafast fission have not been elucidated experimentally. Here, we study a series of pentacene derivatives using ultrafast two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy and unravel the origin of the states involved in fission. Our data reveal the crucial role of vibrational degrees of freedom coupled to electronic excitations that facilitate the mixing of multiexcitonic states with singlet excitons. The resulting manifold of vibronic states drives sub-100 fs fission with unity efficiency. Our results provide a framework for understanding singlet fission and show how the formation of vibronic manifolds with a high density of states facilitates fast and efficient electronic processes in molecular systems.

Coherent Picosecond Exciton Dynamics in a Photosynthetic Reaction Center

Photosynthetic reaction centers convert sunlight into a transmembrane electrochemical potential difference, providing chemical energy to almost all life on earth. Light energy is efficiently transferred through chromophore cofactors to the sites, where charge separation occurs. We applied two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy to assess the role of coherences in the photoresponse of the bacterial reaction center of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. By controlling the polarization of the laser beams, we were able to assign unambiguously the oscillatory dynamics to electronic (intermolecular) coherences. The data show that these coherences are sustained for more than 1 ps, indicating that the protein coherently retains some excitation energy on this time scale. Our finding provides a mechanism for effective delocalization of the excitations on the picosecond time scale by electronic coherence, setting the stage for efficient charge separation.

Distinctive character of electronic and vibrational coherences in disordered molecular aggregates

Abstract Coherent dynamics of coupled molecules are effectively characterized by the two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy. Depending on the coupling between electronic and vibrational states, oscillating signals of purely electronic, purely vibrational or mixed character are observed with the help of oscillation maps, constructed from time-resolved spectra. Amplitude of beatings caused by electronic coherences is heavily affected by energetic disorder and consequently electronic coherences are quickly dephased. Beatings with vibrational character weakly depend on the disorder, ensuring their long-time survival. We show that detailed modeling of two-dimensional spectroscopy signals of molecular aggregates provides direct information on the origin of the coherent beatings.

Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy Reveals Ultrafast Energy Diffusion in Chlorosomes.

Chlorosomes are light-harvesting antennae that enable exceptionally efficient light energy capture and excitation transfer. They are found in certain photosynthetic bacteria, some of which live in extremely low-light environments. In this work, chlorosomes from the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum were studied by coherent electronic two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopy. Previously uncharacterized ultrafast energy transfer dynamics were followed, appearing as evolution of the 2D spectral line-shape during the first 200 fs after excitation. Observed initial energy flow through the chlorosome is well explained by effective exciton diffusion on a sub-100 fs time scale, which assures efficiency and robustness of the process. The ultrafast incoherent diffusion-like behavior of the excitons points to a disordered energy landscape in the chlorosome, which leads to a rapid loss of excitonic coherences between its structural subunits. This disorder prevents observation of excitonic coherences in the experimental data and implies that the chlorosome as a whole does not function as a coherent light-harvester.