the-star-stuff: Everywhere in a Flash: The Quantum Physics of Photosynthesis By hitting single molecules with quadrillionth-of-a-second laser pulses, scientists have revealed the quantum physics underlying photosynthesis, the process used by plants and bacteria to capture light’s energy at efficiencies unapproached by human engineers. The quantum wizardry appears to occur in each of a photosynthetic cell’s millions of antenna proteins. These route energy from electrons spinning in photon-sensitive molecules to nearby reaction-center proteins, which convert it to cell-driving charges. Almost no energy is lost in between. That’s because it exists in multiple places at once, and always finds the shortest path. Image: Bùi Linh Ngân/Flickr

the-star-stuff:

Everywhere in a Flash: The Quantum Physics of Photosynthesis

By hitting single molecules with quadrillionth-of-a-second laser pulses, scientists have revealed the quantum physics underlying photosynthesis, the process used by plants and bacteria to capture light’s energy at efficiencies unapproached by human engineers.

The quantum wizardry appears to occur in each of a photosynthetic cell’s millions of antenna proteins. These route energy from electrons spinning in photon-sensitive molecules to nearby reaction-center proteins, which convert it to cell-driving charges.

Almost no energy is lost in between. That’s because it exists in multiple places at once, and always finds the shortest path.

Image: Bùi Linh Ngân/Flickr

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Posted on Monday, 2 January
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