Optimal Energy Transfer in Light-Harvesting Systems
Photosynthesis is one of the most essential biological processes in which specialized pigment-protein complexes absorb solar photons, and with a remarkably high efficiency, guide the photo-induced excitation energy toward the reaction center to subsequently trigger its conversion to chemical energy....
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2015-08-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/20/8/15224 |
| _version_ | 1819267376379592704 |
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| author | Lipeng Chen Prathamesh Shenai Fulu Zheng Alejandro Somoza Yang Zhao |
| author_facet | Lipeng Chen Prathamesh Shenai Fulu Zheng Alejandro Somoza Yang Zhao |
| author_sort | Lipeng Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Photosynthesis is one of the most essential biological processes in which specialized pigment-protein complexes absorb solar photons, and with a remarkably high efficiency, guide the photo-induced excitation energy toward the reaction center to subsequently trigger its conversion to chemical energy. In this work, we review the principles of optimal energy transfer in various natural and artificial light harvesting systems. We begin by presenting the guiding principles for optimizing the energy transfer efficiency in systems connected to dissipative environments, with particular attention paid to the potential role of quantum coherence in light harvesting systems. We will comment briefly on photo-protective mechanisms in natural systems that ensure optimal functionality under varying ambient conditions. For completeness, we will also present an overview of the charge separation and electron transfer pathways in reaction centers. Finally, recent theoretical and experimental progress on excitation energy transfer, charge separation, and charge transport in artificial light harvesting systems is delineated, with organic solar cells taken as prime examples. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T21:16:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bca8dfeda5374d0a9fbbf52a01642c76 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T21:16:11Z |
| publishDate | 2015-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-bca8dfeda5374d0a9fbbf52a01642c762022-12-21T17:30:54ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492015-08-01208152241527210.3390/molecules200815224molecules200815224Optimal Energy Transfer in Light-Harvesting SystemsLipeng Chen0Prathamesh Shenai1Fulu Zheng2Alejandro Somoza3Yang Zhao4Division of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue,Singapore 639798, SingaporeDivision of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue,Singapore 639798, SingaporeDivision of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue,Singapore 639798, SingaporeDivision of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue,Singapore 639798, SingaporeDivision of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue,Singapore 639798, SingaporePhotosynthesis is one of the most essential biological processes in which specialized pigment-protein complexes absorb solar photons, and with a remarkably high efficiency, guide the photo-induced excitation energy toward the reaction center to subsequently trigger its conversion to chemical energy. In this work, we review the principles of optimal energy transfer in various natural and artificial light harvesting systems. We begin by presenting the guiding principles for optimizing the energy transfer efficiency in systems connected to dissipative environments, with particular attention paid to the potential role of quantum coherence in light harvesting systems. We will comment briefly on photo-protective mechanisms in natural systems that ensure optimal functionality under varying ambient conditions. For completeness, we will also present an overview of the charge separation and electron transfer pathways in reaction centers. Finally, recent theoretical and experimental progress on excitation energy transfer, charge separation, and charge transport in artificial light harvesting systems is delineated, with organic solar cells taken as prime examples.http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/20/8/15224optimal energy transfernatural and artificial light harvesting systemsquantum coherencenon-photochemical quenchingcharge separation |
| spellingShingle | Lipeng Chen Prathamesh Shenai Fulu Zheng Alejandro Somoza Yang Zhao Optimal Energy Transfer in Light-Harvesting Systems Molecules optimal energy transfer natural and artificial light harvesting systems quantum coherence non-photochemical quenching charge separation |
| title | Optimal Energy Transfer in Light-Harvesting Systems |
| title_full | Optimal Energy Transfer in Light-Harvesting Systems |
| title_fullStr | Optimal Energy Transfer in Light-Harvesting Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimal Energy Transfer in Light-Harvesting Systems |
| title_short | Optimal Energy Transfer in Light-Harvesting Systems |
| title_sort | optimal energy transfer in light harvesting systems |
| topic | optimal energy transfer natural and artificial light harvesting systems quantum coherence non-photochemical quenching charge separation |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/20/8/15224 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lipengchen optimalenergytransferinlightharvestingsystems AT prathameshshenai optimalenergytransferinlightharvestingsystems AT fuluzheng optimalenergytransferinlightharvestingsystems AT alejandrosomoza optimalenergytransferinlightharvestingsystems AT yangzhao optimalenergytransferinlightharvestingsystems |