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Quantum simulator of an open quantum system using superconducting qubits: exciton transport in photosynthetic complexes

Journal Article · · New Journal of Physics
Open quantum system approaches are widely used in the description of physical, chemical and biological systems. A famous example is electronic excitation transfer in the initial stage of photosynthesis, where harvested energy is transferred with remarkably high efficiency to a reaction center. This transport is affected by the motion of a structured vibrational environment, which makes simulations on a classical computer very demanding. Here we propose an analog quantum simulator of complex open system dynamics with a precisely engineered quantum environment. Our setup is based on superconducting circuits, a well established technology. As an example, we demonstrate that it is feasible to simulate exciton transport in the Fenna–Matthews–Olson photosynthetic complex. Our approach allows for a controllable single-molecule simulation and the investigation of energy transfer pathways as well as non-Markovian noise-correlation effects.
Research Organization:
Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Excitonics (CE)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE SC Office of Basic Energy Sciences (SC-22)
DOE Contract Number:
SC0001088
OSTI ID:
1386370
Journal Information:
New Journal of Physics, Journal Name: New Journal of Physics Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 14; ISSN 1367-2630
Publisher:
IOP Publishing
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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