Enhanced energy transport in genetically engineered excitonic networks

One of the challenges for achieving efficient exciton transport in solar energy conversion systems is precise structural control of the light-harvesting building blocks. Here, we create a tunable material consisting of a connected chromophore network on an ordered biological virus template. Using genetic engineering, we establish a link between the inter-chromophoric distances and emerging transport properties. The combination of spectroscopy measurements and dynamic modelling enables us to elucidate quantum coherent and classical incoherent energy transport at room temperature. Through genetic modifications, we obtain a significant enhancement of exciton diffusion length of about 68% in an intermediate quantum-classical regime.

Weak limits for quantum random walks

We formulate and prove a general weak limit theorem for quantum random walks in one and more dimensions. With X(n) denoting position at time n, we show that X(n)/n converges weakly as n--> infinity to a certain distribution which is absolutely continuous and of bounded support. The proof is rigorous and makes use of Fourier transform methods. This approach simplifies and extends certain preceding derivations valid in one dimension that make use of combinatorial and path integral methods.

Quantum entropy and special relativity

We consider a single free spin- 1 / 2 particle. The reduced density matrix for its spin is not covariant under Lorentz transformations. The spin entropy is not a relativistic scalar and has no invariant meaning.

Transmission of a Cartesian frame by a quantum system

A single quantum system, such as a hydrogen atom, can transmit a Cartesian coordinate frame (three axes). For this it has to be prepared in a superposition of states belonging to different irreducible representations of the rotation group. The algorithm for decoding such a state is presented, and the fidelity of transmission is evaluated.

Entangled quantum states as direction indicators

We consider the use of N spin-1/2 particles for indicating a direction in space. If N>2, their optimal state is entangled. For large N, the mean square error decreases as N-2 (rather than N-1 for parallel spins).