title: Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy: principles and application to photosynthetic systems.
abstract: The photophysical and photochemical reactions, after light absorption by a photosynthetic pigment-protein complex, are among the fastest events in biology, taking place on timescales ranging from tens of femtoseconds to a few nanoseconds. The advent of ultrafast laser systems that produce pulses with femtosecond duration opened up a new area of research and enabled investigation of these photophysical and photochemical reactions in real time. Here, we provide a basic description of the ultrafast transient absorption technique, the laser and wavelength-conversion equipment, the transient absorption setup, and the collection of transient absorption data. Recent applications of ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy on systems with increasing degree of complexity, from biomimetic light-harvesting systems to natural light-harvesting antennas, are presented. In particular, we will discuss, in this educational review, how a molecular understanding of the light-harvesting and photoprotective functions of carotenoids in photosynthesis is accomplished through the application of ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy.
authors: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Rudi
authors: R
authors: Berera
authors: Rienk
authors: R
authors: van Grondelle
authors: John T M
authors: JT
authors: Kennis
mesh_terms: D016880:Anisotropy; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D002338:Carotenoids