Terahertz Absorption change in Photosynthetic Reaction Center upon photoactivation

Photosynthetic reaction center is a membrane protein which plays an important role in converting solar energy into chemical energy. Upon continuous illumination a charge separation occurs within the protein which is stable for several seconds [1]. The stability of this state is very important to protect the protein against the release of excess heat and an instable radical due to charge recombination. Absorption of terahertz radiation corresponds to the excitation of large vibrations in the protein and is thus suitable for studying its different dynamical states. Here we recorded terahertz absorption spectra of the dark and illuminated state of reaction centre from the purple membrane bacte…