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Title: Criteria for the accuracy of small polaron quantum master equation in simulating excitation energy transfer dynamics

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4840795· OSTI ID:22220234
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Department of Chemistry and Center for Quantum Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 106, Taiwan (China)
  2. Department of Physics and Institute of Modern Physics, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211 (China)

The small polaron quantum master equation (SPQME) proposed by Jang et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 129, 101104 (2008)] is a promising approach to describe coherent excitation energy transfer dynamics in complex molecular systems. To determine the applicable regime of the SPQME approach, we perform a comprehensive investigation of its accuracy by comparing its simulated population dynamics with numerically exact quasi-adiabatic path integral calculations. We demonstrate that the SPQME method yields accurate dynamics in a wide parameter range. Furthermore, our results show that the accuracy of polaron theory depends strongly upon the degree of exciton delocalization and timescale of polaron formation. Finally, we propose a simple criterion to assess the applicability of the SPQME theory that ensures the reliability of practical simulations of energy transfer dynamics with SPQME in light-harvesting systems.

OSTI ID:
22220234
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 139, Issue 22; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English