On the Critical Role of Vibrational Phase in the Photochemistry of Vision
Vibronic coupling is a critical component of most mechanisms invoking quantum effects in biological processes. However, it is not clear how properties associated with vibrational coherence such as phase and coupling of atomic motion impact the efficiency of light-induced processes. Here, we show that deuteration of the H11-C11=C12-H12 double-bond of the 11-cis retinal chromophore in the visual pigment rhodopsin significantly and unexpectedly alters the photoisomerization yield. These results reveal a new vibrational phase-dependent isotope effect.
Plasma dye coating
A straightforward and efficient method is reported to covalently couple dyes to the surface of polymeric materials. The plasma based process works with many different dyes and on any polymeic substrate, including common bulk plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and Teflon.
