Abstract:

The light harvesting complexes of photosynthetic bacteria whose large numbers (~25-20) of Chlorophyll molecules are arranged in highly symmetric arrays have been studied by a variety of spectroscopic methods, including single molecule spectroscopy and hole burning at low temperatures.  These systems are described by a model Hamiltonian that includes the coherent interactions among the Chlorophylls and the static and dynamic disorder that is inherent in the protein surrounding the complex.  With this Hamiltonian we discuss the interplay between the coherent interactions and the decoherence induced by environment.

(PLEASE NOTE NON-STANDARD PLACE)