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SUMMARY:Origin of coherence dynamics in biological complexes - Dr. Donatas
  Zigmantas\, Department of Chemical Physics\, Lund University\, Sweden
DTSTART:20130820T133000Z
DTEND:20130820T143000Z
UID:TALK45595@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr. Girish Lakhwani
DESCRIPTION:Dynamic quantum effects in biological systems is a hotly debat
 ed question\, which lately has been experiencing a renewed wave of broad a
 ttention. The discussion was initiated by the application of multidimensio
 nal spectroscopy techniques for investigating dynamics in biological compl
 exes. Is nature really optimized to use non-trivial quantum effects\, like
  dynamically evolving coherent superpositions to optimize biological funct
 ions\, or we simply observe the beatings of quantum coherences\, because w
 e use lasers that are coherent light sources?\nAn important step towards i
 mproved understanding in this area is investigation of the origin of coher
 ent beatings observed in the time-resolved spectroscopy measurements. Only
  the beatings with electronic character can in principle indicate the impo
 rtance of dynamical quantum mechanical effects.\nWe have investigated osci
 llating coherences in several biological complexes. Possible vibrational a
 nd electronic origins of measured coherent beatings were investigated. Gen
 erally\, distinguishing between the two phenomena is quite difficult. In a
 ddition\, it appears that nuclear decrees of freedom (vibrations) and elec
 tronic degrees of freedom can be mixed resulting in beatings of mixed char
 acter. To get a deeper insight into the problem\, we employed various tool
 s\, e.g. Fourier analysis of 2D spectra sequences and the polarization sch
 eme specifically targeting electronic coherences. Furthermore\, to underst
 and appearance of beating signals of different origin in the 2D spectra we
  have employed theoretical modelling\, which proves to be crucial in under
 standing these very complicated signals.\nIn summary\, application of diff
 erent experimental and analysis methods to the selected biological systems
  as well as modelling enabled us to obtain a deeper insight in to the orig
 in of quantum beats in biology.
LOCATION:Microelectronics Research Centre (MRC) Seminar Room\, Cavendish L
 aboratory\, Department of Physics
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