Laser spectroscopy of primary energy conversion in photosynthesis

A review is given of the current status of research on primary processes of energy conversion in photosynthesis. The structural and functional organization of photosynthetic apparatus of higher plants is considered. A description is given of laser probing methods, applications of high-speed optical shutters, and picosecond spectrofluorometry involving the use of image converters. A functional scheme of primary energy conversion by Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides bacteria is given for the 10^–12–10^–4 sec range of time intervals. Some nonlinear processes resulting from intense excitation of the pigment apparatus of photosynthesizing organisms are considered.