https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/s10053-020-00024-0
Regular Article - Topical Issue
Gas-phase studies of the retinal protonated Schiff base chromophore
1
Department of Physics and Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, 529002, Ramat-Gan, Israel
2
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
Received:
9
September
2020
Accepted:
27
November
2020
Published online:
11
January
2021
Gas-phase studies of the retinal protonated Schiff base chromophore are reviewed. The use of action spectroscopy has solidified the understanding of the spectral-tuning mechanisms of this important chromophore. Ion-mobility spectrometry and gas phase femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy studies indicate that several of the remarkable photo-isomerization properties of the chromophore such as its specificity and ultrafast nature are intrinsic properties of the chromophore. With a firm understanding of the properties of the isolated retinal chromophore in terms of spectroscopy and dynamics, the influence of the protein is becoming better understood.
Key words: Retinal chromophore / Action spectroscopy / Ion mobility spectrometry / Isomerization / Lifetime
© EDP Sciences, SIF and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021
