Criteria for quantum coherent transfer of excitons between chromophores in a polar solvent

Abstract

We show that the quantum decoherence of Forster resonant energy transfer between two optically active molecules can be described by a spin-boson model. This allows us to give quantitative criteria, in terms of experimentally measurable system parameters, that are necessary for coherent Bloch oscillations of excitons between the chromophores. Experimental tests of our results should be possible with Flourescent Resonant Energy Transfer (FRET) spectroscopy. Although we focus on the case of protein-pigment complexes our results are also relevant to quantum dots and organic molecules in a dielectric medium.