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Wang_Zibo_Thesis_2021.pdf (588.03 KB)

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Quantum Optical Models of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers: A Quantum Heat Engine Perspective

Wang, Zibo
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7125-1518
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1626968994170585

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science, Miami University, Physics.
In this thesis, we address the long-standing question of why photosynthesis (the process by which plants and some types of bacteria convert sunlight into chemical energy) is a nearly perfectly efficient process despite the interaction with a hot and noisy environment. By holding quantum effects responsible for such a behavior, we present a simple quantum optical model of photosynthetic reaction centers as a five-level quantum system coupled with heat reservoirs. In particular, we show that the coherence generated through the environmental interactions between the transitions with a common final state can lead to the enhancement of the efficiency of the photosynthetic yield. Therein, we treat the excitation transfer cycle as a quantum heat engine while modeling reservoirs as Markovian (memory-less) as well as non-Markovian (environments that can keep track of memory effects). The outcome of the aforementioned simple model clearly shows the presence of noise-induced coherence that can be controlled by altering the spectral shape of the reservoirs. The results of this thesis may find applications in constructing near-future bio-inspired artificial quantum devices.
Imran Mirza, Dr. (Advisor)
Burçin Bayram, Dr. (Committee Member)
Samir Bali, Dr. (Committee Member)
71 p.
Physics
quantum optics; quantum biology; photosynthesis; quantum coherence; master equation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wang, Z. (2021). Quantum Optical Models of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers: A Quantum Heat Engine Perspective [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1626968994170585

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wang, Zibo. Quantum Optical Models of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers: A Quantum Heat Engine Perspective. 2021. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1626968994170585.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wang, Zibo. "Quantum Optical Models of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers: A Quantum Heat Engine Perspective." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1626968994170585

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1626968994170585
476
© 2021, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Quantum Optical Models of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers: A Quantum Heat Engine Perspective by Zibo Wang is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.