A new study establishes a connection between coherence, where molecules separated by space but not time interact as one, and energy flow. Benefits of the study include a greater understanding of quantum physics, which could lead to breakthroughs in more efficient energy transfer.<\/p>\n
“There was a smoking gun before,” according to Greg Engel<\/a> co-author of the study which was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences <\/em>on 6 December<\/em>. “Here we can watch the relationship between coherence and energy transfer. This is the first paper showing that coherence affects the probability of transport. It really does change the chemical dynamics.”<\/p>\n Observations of coherence have been made before, albeit in unrealistically cold temperatures. However coherence has since been observed at room temperature, and in antenna proteins found in plants all over the planet.<\/p>\n Researchers hypothesised that this coherence had a role in enabling ultra-efficient energy transfer. Energy from incoming photons could simultaneously explore every possible chlorophyll route from a protein’s surface to the reaction centre at its core, and then choose to take the shortest, most efficient path.<\/p>\n Researchers acted on this and found a clear mathematical link between energy flows and fluctuations in chlorophyll coherence. The mounting evidence that quantum effects can be seen in natural systems when excited by lasers is compelling,” said Greg Scholes<\/a>, a University of Toronto biophysicist.<\/p>\n