Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Photosynthetic Systems

Abstract

This Chapter discusses the use of fluorescence upconversion and transient absorption techniques for the study of photosynthetic systems. A description is given of the state-of-the-art laser systems available for ultrafast studies, along with examples of some common techniques for extending the wavelength range of these lasers. The experimental techniques of fluorescence upconversion and transient absorption are introduced, with the goal of describing the implementation, versatility, and limitations of these experiments. Recent experimental results are presented which illustrate applications of ultrafast spectroscopy to studies of excitation energy transfer in light harvesting complexes and electron transfer in bacterial reaction centers.