GRK 1640:  Photophysics of Synthetic and Biological Multichromophoric Systems

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2010 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 148646377

A multichromophoric system is an assembly of molecules bound by chemical or physical interaction. Such systems play an important role in the development of new devices, such as organic solar cells, as well as in the light-harvesting apparatus of natural photosynthetic organisms. Multichromophoric systems are decisive for the transport of energy and charge, e.g. in light-harvesting antenna structures. Such transport processes are governed by two opposing effects: Generally speaking, disorder tends to localise for example excitations, whereas order leads to rapid delocalisation. Here, the phenomenon of quantum mechanical coherence plays a prominent role. In order to understand and control these transport processes on a molecular scale one has to unravel the interplay between structure and function in the multichromophoric assemblies. Research within the GRK 1640 aims at disentangling the effects of order, disorder, and quantum coherence. The group of researchers represents the full range of skills required for 4 systematically investigating multichromophoric systems from chemical synthesis, over structural and spectroscopic characterisation, up to theoretical modelling and simulation. Closely connected to this research, the GRK 1640 establishes an interdisciplinary PhD training programme within the Bayreuth Graduate School for Mathematics and Natural Sciences (BayNAT). The programme takes into account the different scientific backgrounds of the students, who are familiarized with the basic concepts of neighbouring disciplines as well as with expert knowledge in their own field. For example physicists learn about chemistry and vice versa. In addition the training programme offers conference and soft-skill modules such as training in scientific writing and rhetoric skills. Overall the participants thus grow up in a culture of exchange across the boundaries of the traditional disciplines.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bayreuth
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Jürgen Köhler
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Stephan Förster, from 4/2015 until 3/2017; Professor Dr. Stephan Gekle; Professor Dr. Richard Hildner; Professorin Dr. Anna Köhler; Professor Dr. Stephan Kümmel; Professor Dr. Markus Lippitz; Professor Dr. Peter Strohriegl; Professor Dr. Mukundan Thelakkat; Professor Dr. Matthias Ullmann