PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Cerullo, G.
AU  - Polli, D.
AU  - Lanzani, G.
AU  - De Silvestri, S.
AU  - Hashimoto, H.
AU  - Cogdell, R. J.
TI  - Photosynthetic Light Harvesting by Carotenoids: Detection of an Intermediate Excited State
AID  - 10.1126/science.1074685
DP  - 2002 Dec 20
TA  - Science
PG  - 2395--2398
VI  - 298
IP  - 5602
4099  - http://science.sciencemag.org/content/298/5602/2395.short
4100  - http://science.sciencemag.org/content/298/5602/2395.full
SO  - Science2002 Dec 20; 298
AB  - We present the first direct evidence of the presence of an intermediate singlet excited state (Sx) mediating the internal conversion from S2 to S1in carotenoids. The S2 to Sx transition is extremely fast and is completed within approximately 50 femtoseconds. These results require a reassessment of the energy transfer pathways from carotenoids to chlorophylls in the primary step of photosynthesis.