Location
Physics : 401
Date & Time
February 3, 2016, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Description
TITLE: Bioantenna
in a cavity: engineering energy transfer in natural photosynthetic systems
ABSTRACT: The life cycle of plants and photosynthetic bacteria is based on the efficient harvesting of solar energy. These organisms are spectacular examples of nature's engineering capabilities. They absorb photons in intricate protein-pigment molecular aggregates known as light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). Then, the energy is transferred in the form of molecular excitations down to the reaction centers, where charge separation enables fundamental biochemical reactions. Optimal efficiency of light absorption and excitation transfer within the LHCs are crucial characteristics in the competition of these organisms for energy resources. Thus, understanding excitation dynamics in LHCs at the microscopic level can provide us with new principles for the design of artificial sun-powered systems.
In this talk I will describe how specially designed nanostructures can be used to probe and modify energy transfer in LHCs of photosynthetic bacteria. In the beginning I will overview the general concepts and challenges of excitation dynamics in natural LHCs by using green sulfur bacteria as a model system. I will then discuss an example where optical cavities accentuate response signals from LHCs and will explain how, potentially, these can be used to modify the energy transfer paths in living organisms.
ABSTRACT: The life cycle of plants and photosynthetic bacteria is based on the efficient harvesting of solar energy. These organisms are spectacular examples of nature's engineering capabilities. They absorb photons in intricate protein-pigment molecular aggregates known as light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). Then, the energy is transferred in the form of molecular excitations down to the reaction centers, where charge separation enables fundamental biochemical reactions. Optimal efficiency of light absorption and excitation transfer within the LHCs are crucial characteristics in the competition of these organisms for energy resources. Thus, understanding excitation dynamics in LHCs at the microscopic level can provide us with new principles for the design of artificial sun-powered systems.
In this talk I will describe how specially designed nanostructures can be used to probe and modify energy transfer in LHCs of photosynthetic bacteria. In the beginning I will overview the general concepts and challenges of excitation dynamics in natural LHCs by using green sulfur bacteria as a model system. I will then discuss an example where optical cavities accentuate response signals from LHCs and will explain how, potentially, these can be used to modify the energy transfer paths in living organisms.