title: Delocalized quantum states enhance photocell efficiency.
abstract: The high quantum efficiency of photosynthetic complexes has inspired researchers to explore new routes to utilize this process for photovoltaic devices. Quantum coherence has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in this process. Herein, we propose a three-dipole system as a model of a new photocell type which exploits the coherence among its three dipoles. We have proved that the efficiency of such a photocell is greatly enhanced by quantum coherence. We have also predicted that the photocurrents can be enhanced by about 49.5% in such a coherent coupled dipole system compared with the uncoupled dipoles. These results suggest a promising novel design aspect of photosynthesis-mimicking photovoltaic devices.
authors.affiliation: Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar. kais@purdue.edu.
authors.forename: Yiteng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Sangchul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Fahhad H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Alharbi
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Sabre
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kais
mesh_terms: D008958:Models, Molecular; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins