Theory 05/Molecular/Photosynthesis
Coherence Needs Stiffness
The claim
Quantum coherence in photosynthetic energy transfer extends only while the ratio of exciton delocalisation to protein motion is large, so flexible complexes lose coherence.
01Mechanism
Nuclear motion dephases the exciton; the ratio sets how many coherent transfers occur before the phase is scrambled.
02Prediction
Coherence length should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Coherence independent of protein motion would remove dephasing.