Photosynthesis in a flash

Photosynthesis powers almost all of life but attempts to harness this process are yet to match nature’s design. Plants, which convert sunlight into chemical and electrical energy, are significantly more efficient than affordable solar cells.

Understanding how photosynthesis works could lead to cheaper and more efficient solar power. It could also enable the production of hydrogen, for use as an alternative fuel, as well as chemicals for plastics or pharmaceuticals. Scientists are advancing these aims. Two research teams, using two exceptional lasers at STFC’s Central Laser Facility (CLF), took ultra-fast laser light measurements of the inner workings of plants. EU-funded scientists from University College Dublin and Imperial College London used the Astra Artemis laser. “We’ve been interested in understanding how photosynthetic proteins can be so efficient at transferring energy,” explained Dr Ian Mercer from University College Dublin.

ASTRA Artemis Laser

“The new method is a world first in taking a snapshot that tells us something new about photosynthesis, all within one tenth of a millionth of a millionth of a second,” said Dr Mercer. “In contrast, traditional methods require between millions and billions of ultrafast laser flashes accumulated sequentially, often over hours or days, in order to be useful.”

In another major piece of work, researchers from Queen Mary University of London, together with the California Institute of Technology, examined the simplest chemical reaction of all, called electron transfer, in bacteria using the Ultrafast Laboratory in CLF’s Lasers for Science facility.

Their work provides new insights into the efficiency of the electronic properties in amino-acids and will provide a test bed for developing new protein-based devices. In the meantime the Ultrafast Laboratory has been upgraded to the new ULTRA (Ultrasensitive Lifescience Time-Resolved Analysis) facility, which is jointly funded by STFC and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

• Studying photosynthesis could help produce more efficient solar cells
• Bio-sensors, imaging and information storage could all benefit from laser science
• Laser research attracts investment from other research councils