Fluorescent kinetics of chlorophyll in photosystems I and II enriched fractions of spinach

Abstract

The fluorescent emission kinetics of spinach subchloroplast Photosystems I and II particles have been studied on a picosecond time scale. Using picosecond laser pulses and an optical Kerr gate, the fluorescent decay times are measured to be 60 plus or minus 10 ps, and 200 plus or minus 20 ps for Photosystems I and II, respectively. The quantum yields are calculated to be 0.004 for Photosystem I and 0.013 for Photosystem II. Theory of exciton energy transfer and trapping is applied for the determination of intermolecular potential energyin the photosystems.