What is the function of accessory pigments?

Accessory pigments are light-absorbing compounds that traps light energy and channels it to chlorophyll a, the primary pigment, which initiates the reactions of photosynthesis. Accessory pigment includes the carotenoids, phycobiliproteins, and chlorophylls b, c, and d. Indeed, they not only enable a wider range of wavelength of incoming light to be utilized for photosynthesis but also protect chlorophyll a from the photo-oxidation.