Quantum Mechanics Coming to Bonsai

[0soyoung]

Single-photon absorption and emission from a natural photosynthetic complex - Nature

Using a heralded single-photon source along with coincidence counting, we establish time correlation functions for B800 excitation and B850 fluorescence emission and demonstrate that both events involve single photons.

www.nature.com

We also find that the probability distribution of the number of heralds per detected fluorescence photon supports the view that a single photon can upon absorption drive the subsequent energy transfer and fluorescence emission and hence, by extension, the primary charge separation of photosynthesis. An analytical stochastic model and a Monte Carlo numerical model capture the data, further confirming that absorption of single photons is correlated with emission of single photons in a natural light-harvesting complex.

 

[Gabler]

Single-photon absorption and emission from a natural photosynthetic complex - Nature

Using a heralded single-photon source along with coincidence counting, we establish time correlation functions for B800 excitation and B850 fluorescence emission and demonstrate that both events involve single photons.

www.nature.com

We also find that the probability distribution of the number of heralds per detected fluorescence photon supports the view that a single photon can upon absorption drive the subsequent energy transfer and fluorescence emission and hence, by extension, the primary charge separation of photosynthesis. An analytical stochastic model and a Monte Carlo numerical model capture the data, further confirming that absorption of single photons is correlated with emission of single photons in a natural light-harvesting complex.

So what does this mean practically for horticulture?

 

[Willyt26]

So what does this mean practically for horticulture?

So we finally know exactly how many photons we should apply daily for optimal foliar growth in development of conifers, particularly pines and most junipers. Certain tropical species have also been known to be quite photon reliant, likely due to being evolutionarily accustomed to having a more constant intake of photons per unit of photosynthetic mass due to an equatorial natural distribution. Hope this helps.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Cool. I'll get my single photon grow light going.

 

[Cajunrider]

Oh man. All my photons come from an unheralded source. Therefore, my bonsai don't induce any excitation and are doomed to uncertain decay lifetimes.

 

[nuttiest]

Nice, It means to me I can move my at-risk for too much sun trunks (removed too much canopy) to bright shade in august. There will be enough photons bouncing around.

 

[MSGhero]

The cheap grow light I first got on Amazon was one of these single photon ones, as little as it did for me besides make me hate the color purple.

Another neat quantum thing is that photosynthesis and respiration both rely on electron tunneling, which is an electron going where it "shouldn't" be able to.