The study of photo-induced ultrafast dynamics in light-harvesting complex LH2 of purple bacteria

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce the photo-induced ultrafast dynamics taking place in the peripheral light harvesting antenna LH2 from purple bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides by using absorption, fluorescence emission and ultrafast spectroscopic techniques. Three kinds of LH2 samples, pH treated LH2 (complete removal of B800 pigments), carotenoid mutated LH2 (GM 309) and electrochemical oxidation treated LH2 were used in comparison with native LH2 to investigate the mechanism of photo- induced ultrafast energy transfer within the LH2 complex.

Keywords

bacteria, photosynthesis, light-harvesting antenna, femtosecond pump-probe, energy transfer