A Light in the Darkness: Frequency Generation in Natural Light Harvesting Systems and the Dynamics of Novel Photosynthetic Pigment Analogs

A Light in the Darkness: Frequency Generation in Natural Light Harvesting Systems and the Dynamics of Novel Photosynthetic Pigment Analogs
Vanessa Huxter, University of Arizona
Vanessa Huxter
Date and time: Thu, Nov 30, 2017 - 11:30am
Refreshments at 11:15am
Location: LGRT 1033
Category: Condensed Matter Seminar
Abstract:

Efficient energy transfer in many photosynthetic pigment-protein aggregates is mediated by excitonic coupling and delocalization. By directly exploiting exciton-exciton interactions using frequency generation ultrafast electronic spectroscopy, it is possible to connect the spatial, temporal and dynamic landscapes of these complex systems. These measurements reveal the relationship between delocalized excitations, providing a novel and generalizable means to understand relaxation in strongly coupled systems. In photosynthetic aggregates, the component pigment molecules determine the overall properties of the complex including the efficiency of energy transfer. Through the design of synthetic analogs of these pigment molecules, we may be able to construct biologically inspired light harvesting systems with controlled, tunable properties. Using ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy, we have studied the dynamics of new synthetic analogs of highly conserved natural light harvesting pigments. These molecular systems are tunable and redox active, providing new pathways to controllable and efficient energy and charge transfer in artificial light harvesting systems.