Robust and fragile quantum effects in the transfer kinetics of delocalized excitons between B850 units of LH2 complexes

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Jang, Seogjoo J.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Jang, Seogjoo J.
author_facet Jang, Seogjoo J.
contents Aggregates of light harvesting 2 (LH2) complexes form the major exciton-relaying domain in the photosynthetic unit of purple bacteria. Application of a generalized master equation to pairs of the B850 units of LH2 complexes, where excitons predominantly reside, provide quantitative information on how the inter-LH2 exciton transfer depends on the distance, relative rotational angle, and the relative energies of the two LH2s. The distance dependence demonstrates significant enhancement of the rate due to quantum delocalization of excitons, the qualitative nature of which remains robust against the disorder. The angle dependence reflects isotropic nature of exciton transfer, which remains similar for the ensemble of disorder. The variation of the rate on relative excitation energies of LH2 exhibits resonance peaks, which however is fragile as the disorder becomes significant. Overall, the average transfer times between two LH2s are estimated to be in the range of 4 - 25 ps for physically plausible inter-LH2 distances.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_03291
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Robust and fragile quantum effects in the transfer kinetics of delocalized excitons between B850 units of LH2 complexes
Jang, Seogjoo J.
Chemical Physics
Biological Physics
Quantum Physics
Aggregates of light harvesting 2 (LH2) complexes form the major exciton-relaying domain in the photosynthetic unit of purple bacteria. Application of a generalized master equation to pairs of the B850 units of LH2 complexes, where excitons predominantly reside, provide quantitative information on how the inter-LH2 exciton transfer depends on the distance, relative rotational angle, and the relative energies of the two LH2s. The distance dependence demonstrates significant enhancement of the rate due to quantum delocalization of excitons, the qualitative nature of which remains robust against the disorder. The angle dependence reflects isotropic nature of exciton transfer, which remains similar for the ensemble of disorder. The variation of the rate on relative excitation energies of LH2 exhibits resonance peaks, which however is fragile as the disorder becomes significant. Overall, the average transfer times between two LH2s are estimated to be in the range of 4 - 25 ps for physically plausible inter-LH2 distances.
title Robust and fragile quantum effects in the transfer kinetics of delocalized excitons between B850 units of LH2 complexes
topic Chemical Physics
Biological Physics
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.03291