Quantum Coherence in Photosynthesis
Quantum coherence in photosynthetic complexes is not universal but observed transiently in select pigment–protein assemblies. In the Fenna–Matthews–Olson (FMO) complex and related systems, excitons migrate via quantum superpositions that survive tens to hundreds of femtoseconds despite thermal noise, aided by vibronic coupling and a structured protein scaffold. This short-lived coherence can outperform purely classical hopping, yet it depends on architecture, temperature, and spectral properties.
