Quantum Dynamics in Photosynthesis - Non-Equilibrium Green´s Functions for Non-Equilibrium Processes in Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis

Project funded by Swedish Research Council (Project grant), grant 2012-03283_VR. Participating organisations named by the source: Lund University. Funded amount: SEK 3,320,000, as stated by the source. Runs 2013-01-01 to 2016-12-31. Keywords: Naturvetenskap, Natural Sciences, Fysik, Physical Sciences, Atom- och molekylfysik och optik, Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics. Source: OpenAIRE Graph, from the funder's project data (collected by OpenAIRE on 2025-12-05); national funding data, not CORDIS. Abstract given by the source: This theoretical project offers a detailed quantum dynamical modeling of three key topics of photosynthesis. The method of choice is non-equilibrium Green?s functions, because they facilitate the necessary balance between the geometrical details of the molecular structure and a high-level treatment of the correlated quantum dynamics. Non-equilibrium Green?s functions are used in molecular electronics, nanophysics, and coherent spectroscopy. The PI has extensive experience applying these methods. We will perform direct simulations of emerging experimental techniques, particularly 2D electronic spectroscopy and electronic tunneling spectroscopy. The secrets of photosynthesis are being pursued by both X-ray crystallography and ultra-fast laser experiments. Yet, key secrets remain elusive. 1: Quantum coherences in photosynthetic antenna systems are observed by 2D electronic spectroscopy, suggesting quantum mechanical wave-like character of energy transfer. The mechanistic implications of this remain unclear. 2: The absorbed energy is converted to electron-hole pairs at the reaction centers with unit quantum efficiency. Observed coherent nuclear dynamics indicate non-adiabatic dynamics at play. 3: How does the oxygen evolving complex, where water is oxidized to oxygen work? Can we build a biomimetic catalyst with the same extreme efficiency? We will strive to reveal the secrets of photosynthesis, and discover design ideas to be used in artificial photosynthesic devices.

Original source.

Source: OpenAIRE Graph: projects of national funders, OpenAIRE, from the project data of Swedish Research Council. Retrieved 2026-10-28. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (OpenAIRE Graph). Selected metadata, adapted presentation; the publisher's record is authoritative. No endorsement by the source is implied. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).

AI-assisted summary: The project "Quantum Dynamics in Photosynthesis" is funded by the Swedish Research Council with a grant of SEK 3,320,000, running from 2013 to 2016. It focuses on quantum dynamical modeling of photosynthesis using non-equilibrium Green's functions. Suggested technology pillar: simulation. Generated by AI from the public source text; it may contain errors and the original source is authoritative.