Abstract

We present a quantum dynamical study of exciton transfer across a torsional defect that locally breaks the pi-conjugation in an oligo-(p-phenylene vinylene) (OPV) fragment. A site-based vibronic coupling Hamiltonian is used which is formulated in a comparative fashion (i) for a Frenkel exciton basis, assuming localized electron-hole pairs whose superposition yields a delocalized exciton, and (ii) more accurately, for a Merrifield type exciton basis including spatially separated electron-hole pairs. Starting from a partially delocalized ("spectroscopic unit") initial condition, the observed transfer dynamics is found to involve two characteristic time scales: (i) a very rapid, coherent transient on a 10-100 femtosecond scale, largely determined by Rabi type oscillations modulated by bond-length-alternation modes, and (ii) a slower time scale involving the planarization of the torsional coordinates that determines the onset of a quasi-stationary exciton-polaron state, and in the process leads to a "healing" of the torsional defect within - 500 femtoseconds. The dynamics obtained from the full electron-hole basis vs. Frenkel basis are in good agreement. In the full electron-hole dynamics, the transients are found to involve a rapid expansion and subsequent contraction of the electron-hole coherence size. Quantum dynamical simulations for a minimal six-site model involving 36 states and 22 vibrational modes, were carried out using the multiconfiguration time dependent Hartree (MCTDH) method.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call