Examining the quantum signatures of optimal excitation energy transfer

• Main Authors: Peter, Jonah S, Holzinger, Raphael, Ostermann, Stefan, Yelin, Susanne F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 29-02-2024
• Subjects: Physics - Quantum Physics
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2403.00058

Light-harvesting via the transport and trapping of optically-induced
electronic excitations is of fundamental interest to the design of new energy
efficient quantum technologies. Using a paradigmatic quantum optical model, we
study the influence of coherence, entanglement, and cooperative dissipation on
the transport and capture of excitation energy. In particular, we demonstrate
that the rate of energy extraction is optimized under conditions that minimize
the quantum coherence and entanglement of the system. We show that this finding
is not limited to disordered or high temperature systems but is instead a
fundamental consequence of spontaneous parity time-reversal symmetry breaking
associated with the quantum-to-classical transition. We then examine the
effects of vibrational fluctuations, revealing a strong dephasing assisted
transport enhancement for delocalized excitations in the presence of
cooperative interactions. Our results highlight the rich, emergent behavior
associated with decoherence and may be relevant to the study of biological
photosynthetic antenna complexes or to the design of room-temperature quantum
devices.