Spectra of excitons in R-phycoerythrin microcrystals

The antenna system of photosynthetic organisms serves to absorb light energy andtransfer excitation energy to the reaction centers. Energy transfer in the antenna system hasbeen found to be very efficient and rapid. The overall transfer efficiency exceeds 90％, andthe whole process of energy transfer from the phycoerythrin (PE) to the reaction center iscompleted within 50 ps in intact cells of red algae and cyanobacteria. Phycobilisome. the important photosynthetic antenna in red algae and cyanobacteria,consists of antenna polypeptide rods and core. One side of the core attaches to thethylakoid membrane and connects with the reaction center. the other side connects with the