Primary reactions in photosynthetic reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides – Time constants of the initial electron transfer

Abstract

The primary dynamics of reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides at room temperature are studied at low excitation intensities and low excitation rates. Analysis based on singular value decomposition yields three time constants in the picosecond range (ca. 1.2ps, 3.5ps and 220ps). The spectral and temporal signatures are fully consistent with the step-wise electron transfer model published previously, with a first electron transfer to the bacteriochlorophyll with a time constant of 3.5ps and a second 1.2ps transfer to the bacteriopheophytin. No indications for adiabatic electron transfer are found in the time range >0.5ps.