Multiphonon processes of the inelastic electron transfer in olfaction

Inelastic electron transfer, regarded as one of the potential mechanisms to explain odorant recognition in atomic-scale processes, is still a matter of intense debate. Here, we study multiphonon processes of electron transfer using the Markvart model and calculate their lifetimes with the values of key parameters widely adopted in olfactory systems. We find that these multiphonon processes are as quick as the single phonon process, which suggests that contributions from different phonon modes of an odorant molecule should be included for electron transfer in olfaction. Meanwhile, the temperature dependence of electron transfer could be analyzed effectively based on the reorganization energy which is expanded into the linewidth of multiphonon processes. Our theoretical results not only enrich the knowledge of the mechanism of olfaction recognition, but also provide insights into quantum processes in biological systems.

Automated summary

Research has shown that multiphonon processes play a role in electron transfer as quickly as single phonon processes, suggesting that different phonon modes of odorant molecules should be considered in electron transfer in olfaction. The temperature dependence of electron transfer can be effectively analyzed by expanding the reorganization energy into the linewidth of multiphonon processes. The theoretical results not only enrich the understanding of olfactory recognition mechanisms, but also provide insights into quantum processes in biological systems.