# Direct observation of the coherent nuclear response after the absorption of a photon

Source: [Direct observation of the coherent nuclear response after the absorption of a photon](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa31451e209131ce87d10d>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-24T18:44:05.729Z

Authors: Matz Liebel, Christoph Schnedermann, Giovanni Bassolino, Garrick Taylor, Anthony Watts, Philipp Kukura

Published: 2014-03-12T17:46:51.000Z

## Abstract

How molecules convert light energy to perform a specific transformation is a fundamental question in photophysics. Ultrafast spectroscopy reveals the kinetics associated with electronic energy flow, but little is known about how absorbed photon energy drives nuclear or electronic motion. Here, we used ultrabroadband transient absorption spectroscopy to monitor coherent vibrational energy flow after photoexcitation of the retinal chromophore. In the proton pump bacteriorhodopsin we observed coherent activation of hydrogen wagging and backbone torsional modes that were replaced by unreactive coordinates in the solution environment, concomitant with a deactivation of the reactive relaxation pathway.

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## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3045>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/1403.3045.pdf>)