Pump probe anisotropy studies of the photosynthetic reaction center

The photosynthetic reaction center of Rb. sphaeroides is investigated by un ique pump-probe anisotropy methods using 13 fs optical pulses tunable throu ghout the near IR absorption band. The time and wavelength resolved pump pr obe anisotropy transients yield detailed experimental descriptions of the e nergy levels, Py+ and P-y of the excitonically coupled special pair (P), an d dynamics prior to charge separation, particularly energy transfer from th e accessory bacteriochlorophylla's (B) to the special pair (P).