Speaker
Abstract content <br> (Max 300 words)
The first step in photosynthesis constitutes highly efficient light harvesting and energy transfer in a set of membrane-bound pigment-protein complexes. One surprising aspect of the light-harvesting complexes of plants is that they are self-protected against damage due to over-illumination. A major component of the self-protection mechanism involves efficient switching between light-harvesting and energy-dissipating states. The role of the embedded carotenoids in this switching process is only little understood. Here, the excited-state dynamics of the carotenoids in the main light-harvesting complex of plants was investigated by performing a multi-colour, intensity-dependent femtosecond pump-probe study. It will be demonstrated how using this technique new electronic states can be resolved and how these states may be active in energy-quenching mechanisms.
Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?
Yes
Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> award (Yes / No)?
No
Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution
T P J. Krüger, Tjaart.Kruger@up.ac.za
University of Pretoria
Level for award<br> (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD)?
Hons
