We model the quantum electron transfer (ET) in the photosynthetic reaction
center (RC), using a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian approach. Our model includes (i)
two protein cofactors, donor and acceptor, with discrete energy levels and (ii)
a third protein pigment (sink) which has a continuous energy spectrum.
Interactions are introduced between the donor and acceptor, and between the
acceptor and the sink, with noise acting between the donor and acceptor. The
noise is considered classically (as an external random force), and it is
described by an ensemble of two-level systems (random fluctuators). Each
fluctuator has two independent parameters, an amplitude and a switching rate.
We represent the noise by a set of fluctuators with fitting parameters
(boundaries of switching rates), which allows us to build a desired spectral
density of noise in a wide range of frequencies. We analyze the quantum
dynamics and the efficiency of the ET as a function of (i) the energy gap
between the donor and acceptor, (ii) the strength of the interaction with the
continuum, and (iii) noise parameters. As an example, numerical results are
presented for the ET through the active pathway in a quinone-type photosystem
II RC.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure
