Explorative computational study of the singlet fission process

Abstract

Different ab initio methods, namely multi-reference and nonorthogonal configuration interaction techniques, are explored for their applicability in studying the singlet fission problem. It has been shown for 2-methyl-1,5-hexadiene that the 1TT state can be identified using multi-reference techniques. The geometrical and vibrational properties of the 1TT state are such that they can be approximated with those of the 5TT state. A proof of principle is given for the calculation of the singlet fission pathway driven by nuclear motion: efficient singlet fission can take place if the 1TT and S1 states are close in energy with a large non-adiabatic coupling matrix element at the S1 geometry, and the energy of the S0 state is well below that of the 1TT state at the 1TT geometry. The nonorthogonal configuration interaction method was used to treat a tetracene trimer. It has been shown that the first excited states can be interpreted as delocalised states; interaction with charge-transfer base states plays an important role. The 1TT states are localised on one pair of molecules. The electronic coupling between the diabatic S[n] and 1TT[m] states is in the meV range, confirming previous estimates. The charge-transfer base states enhance the coupling between the S[1]/S[2] and 1TT[2] excited states.