Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Frontiers in Optics

A Non-Markovian Model of the Photosynthetic Reaction Center

Antonio Vazquez Lim, Zibo Wang, Imran M. Mirza

Published Jan 1, 2021• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this work, we present a realistic dissipative five-level quantum heat engine model of the photosynthetic reaction center which demonstrates greater levels of achieved and sustained coherence than its Markovian analogue.
DOI
10.1364/fio.2021.jth5a.23

Related papers

Dissipative Five-level Quantum Systems: A Quantum Model of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers

Zibo Wang, Imran M. Mirza

Recent studies suggested that coherence can enhance the photosynthetic yield. In this work, we show how photosynthesis can be modeled as a five-level quantum heat engine and how its environmental interaction leads to noise-induced coherence.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2020•4 citations

Non-Markovian Investigation of an Autonomous Quantum Heat Engine

Ketan Goyal

•Jan 1, 2017•0 citations

An investigation into the energy transfer efficiency of a two-pigment photosynthetic system using a macroscopic quantum model

Fatemeh Ghasemi, Afshin Shafiee

arXiv:2006.12493•Biosystems•Jul 27, 2020•6 citations

Decoherence of coherent electronic excited state in the reaction center of the photosynthetic purple bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Xian-Ting Liang, Wei-Min Zhang, Yizhong Zhuo

In this paper, we present a theoretical description to the quantum coherence and decoherence phenomena of energy transfer in photosynthesis observed in a recent experiment [see Science 316, 1462 (2007)]. As a successive two-color laser pulses with selected frequencies cast on a sample of the photosynthetic purple bacterium Rb. sphaeroides two resonant excitations of electrons in chromophores can be generated. However, this effective two-level subsystem will interact with its protein environment and decoherence is inevitable. We describe this subsystem coupled with its environment as a dynamical spin-boson model. The non-Markovian decoherence dynamics is described using a quasi-adiabatic propagator path integral (QUAPI) approach. With the photon-induced effective time-dependent level splitting energy and level flip coupling coefficient between the two excited states and the environment-induced non-Markovian decoherence dynamics, our theoretical result is in good agreement with the experimental data.

arXiv:0809.0039•Aug 31, 2008•0 citations

Topological Protection of Photosynthetic Quantum Heat Engines

Chuan‐Cun Shu, Hang Zhou, Qian-Qian Hong +3 more

Abstract Quantum coherence is increasingly recognized as a foundational resource in quantum thermodynamics, serving as a key driver of thermodynamic performance in quantum heat engines (QHEs). However, a central paradox remains unresolved: how do natural photosynthetic systems achieve exceptionally high and robust energy-conversion efficiencies, even within noisy, dissipative environments where quantum coherence typically decays rapidly? Here, we present a coherently driven four-level QHE model, inspired by photosystem II—the primary energy-harvesting complex in plants, to elucidate the mechanisms by which quantum coherence and system topology jointly enable extraordinary efficiency and resilience. By performing spectral analysis of the system’s non-Hermitian Liouvillian superoperator, we reveal a topological phase transition characterized by a quantized change in the winding number. This transition separates two operational regimes: in the topologically trivial phase, stronger driving enhances coherence and boosts efficiency, whereas in the topologically nontrivial phase, topological protection preserves optimal efficiency even as coherence is largely destroyed. Our results establish a direct connection between topological effects and photosynthetic energy conversion, providing a new framework for understanding the resilience of biological energy harvesting and informing the design of robust, high-efficiency quantum energy conversion devices.

•May 12, 2026•0 citations

Non-Markovian stochastic description of quantum transport in photosynthetic systems

Inés de Vega

We analyze several aspects of the transport dynamics in the LH1-RC core of purple bacteria, which consists basically in a ring of antenna molecules that transport the energy into a target molecule, the reaction center, placed in the center of the ring. We show that the periodicity of the system plays an important role to explain the relevance of the initial state in the transport efficiency. This picture is modified, and the transport enhanced for any initial state, when considering that molecules have different energies, and when including their interaction with the environment. We study this last situation by using stochastic Schr{ö}dinger equations, both for Markovian and non-Markovian type of interactions.

arXiv:1005.0465•May 4, 2010•9 citations
In this paper, we present a theoretical description to the quantum coherence and decoherence phenomena of energy transfer in photosynthesis observed in a recent experiment [see Science 316, 1462 (2007)]. As a successive two-color laser pulses with selected frequencies cast on a sample of the photosynthetic purple bacterium Rb. sphaeroides two resonant excitations of electrons in chromophores can be generated. However, this effective two-level subsystem will interact with its protein environment and decoherence is inevitable. We describe this subsystem coupled with its environment as a dynamical spin-boson model. The non-Markovian decoherence dynamics is described using a quasi-adiabatic propagator path integral (QUAPI) approach. With the photon-induced effective time-dependent level splitting energy and level flip coupling coefficient between the two excited states and the environment-induced non-Markovian decoherence dynamics, our theoretical result is in good agreement with the experimental data.
Abstract Quantum coherence is increasingly recognized as a foundational resource in quantum thermodynamics, serving as a key driver of thermodynamic performance in quantum heat engines (QHEs). However, a central paradox remains unresolved: how do natural photosynthetic systems achieve exceptionally high and robust energy-conversion efficiencies, even within noisy, dissipative environments where quantum coherence typically decays rapidly? Here, we present a coherently driven four-level QHE model, inspired by photosystem II—the primary energy-harvesting complex in plants, to elucidate the mechanisms by which quantum coherence and system topology jointly enable extraordinary efficiency and resilience. By performing spectral analysis of the system’s non-Hermitian Liouvillian superoperator, we reveal a topological phase transition characterized by a quantized change in the winding number. This transition separates two operational regimes: in the topologically trivial phase, stronger driving enhances coherence and boosts efficiency, whereas in the topologically nontrivial phase, topological protection preserves optimal efficiency even as coherence is largely destroyed. Our results establish a direct connection between topological effects and photosynthetic energy conversion, providing a new framework for understanding the resilience of biological energy harvesting and informing the design of robust, high-efficiency quantum energy conversion devices.
We analyze several aspects of the transport dynamics in the LH1-RC core of purple bacteria, which consists basically in a ring of antenna molecules that transport the energy into a target molecule, the reaction center, placed in the center of the ring. We show that the periodicity of the system plays an important role to explain the relevance of the initial state in the transport efficiency. This picture is modified, and the transport enhanced for any initial state, when considering that molecules have different energies, and when including their interaction with the environment. We study this last situation by using stochastic Schr{ö}dinger equations, both for Markovian and non-Markovian type of interactions.