Exploring the role of quantum effects in the way light-harvesting bio-molecules function
A Southampton Physics and Astronomy associate professor has received a prestigious Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation grant to explore the role of quantum effects in the energy transfer that occurs after light is absorbed by photosynthetic bio-molecules.
Dr Luca Sapienza, an Associate Professor of Physics, has been awarded nearly $2m from the Foundation that was set up in the USA to create positive outcomes for future generations by fostering path-breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and the preservation of the special character of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Luca, who leads the University's Solid-State Quantum Optics Group, will use the funding to work on research towards Revealing unambiguous signatures of quantum coherence in photosynthetic complexes on a photonic chip with Dr Alexandra Olaya-Castro, a Professor of Physics at University College London.
Together they will study how quantum phenomena could be involved in the way photosynthetic molecules transfer the energy they absorb from light. As well as the fundamental interest, they are hoping that by reverse-engineering natural processes optimised by nature during billions of years, they will be able to improve the performance of energy harvesting devices.
Luca said: "This energy transfer process within photosynthetic bio-molecules is much more efficient than the one achieved in current manmade photovoltaic devices, but the origin of this feature is still under debate.
"One hypothesis is that quantum phenomena could be involved. We will use nanophotonic techniques developed for semiconductor solid-state emitters to isolate single biomolecules that we will place within on-chip nanofabricated devices. By studying their emission properties under laser excitation, we aim to understand the role of quantum coherence in the energy transfer.
He added: "By understanding the fundamental processes in biosystems, we could reverse-engineer them to realise more efficient energy harvesters. Furthermore, the idea that room temperature, liquid phase, disordered systems could preserve coherence is tantalising - if we can understand how this happens, we could realise highly-coherent quantum emitters that could be used in quantum communication and quantum computing protocols relying on the storage of information in single photons.
"The support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will allow us to use our expertise in quantum optics and nano fabrication to explore the properties of biological systems - a novel approach that I hope will provide new insights in the field of quantum biology. I am very excited about this interdisciplinary project as it will take my research group in a new research direction."