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High-Time Resolution Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study of Quantum Beat Oscillations Observed in Photosynthetic Reaction Center Proteins

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Biophysical Techniques in Photosynthesis

Part of the book series: Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration ((AIPH,volume 26))

The primary energy conversion steps of bacterial and plant photosynthesis proceed via light-induced radical pairs as short-lived intermediates. Time-resolved EPR experiments of the photosynthetic reaction centers monitor the key charge separated state between the oxidized electron donor and reduced acceptor P•+ 700A1 •– of Photosystem I. The observed EPR spectra of P•+ 700A1 •– are indicative of a spin-correlated radical pair that is populated from the excited singlet state of the primary electron donor. Importantly, the spin-correlated radical pair nature of the charge-separated state is a common feature of all photosynthetic reaction centers, which gives rise to several interesting spin-phenomena such as quantum beats, observed at short delay times after optical excitation. In this chapter we present details of the quantum beat phenomena studied by high-time resolution transient and pulsed EPR of Photosystem I reaction centers. The understanding and analysis of the quantum beat oscillations in combination with high-field EPR allows us to obtain the three-dimensional structure of P•+ 700A1 •– as well as its arrangement in the membrane. We expect that this is of general interest, because the detailed structure of radical pair intermediates can be determined on a nanosecond time scale. In addition, by monitoring the quantum beat oscillations with a pulsed EPR approach, we shed new light on the electronic structure of the oxidized primary electron donor, P•+ 700.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Gerd Kothe

  2. Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, 5735 South Ellis Avenue, 60637, Chicago, IL, USA

    James R. Norris

  3. Chemistry Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, 60439-4833, Argonne, IL, USA

    Oleg G. Poluektov & Marion C. Thurnauer

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  1. Gerd Kothe
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  2. James R. Norris
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  3. Oleg G. Poluektov
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  4. Marion C. Thurnauer
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  1. Leiden University, 9504, 2300 RA, Leiden, Netherlands

    Thijs J. Aartsma  & Jörg Matysik  & 

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Kothe, G., Norris, J.R., Poluektov, O.G., Thurnauer, M.C. (2008). High-Time Resolution Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study of Quantum Beat Oscillations Observed in Photosynthetic Reaction Center Proteins. In: Aartsma, T.J., Matysik, J. (eds) Biophysical Techniques in Photosynthesis. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration, vol 26. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8250-4_15

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