About electron transfer over long distances with tunable sub/supersonic velocities

J Chem Phys. 2020 Jul 28;153(4):044117. doi: 10.1063/5.0012051.

Abstract

Provided in this paper is a theory of long-range electron transfer with near sound (supersonic or subsonic) velocity along one-dimensional crystal lattices. The theory represents the development of an earlier work by introducing Marcus formulation. To illustrate its application to a realistic case, the theory is used to offer an explanation of two puzzling observations made by Donovan and Wilson in transient photoconduction experiments with non-dopable perfectly crystalline polydiacetylene crystals in the presence of an electric field: transport velocity value close to sound velocity being independent of field for four orders of magnitude of field (102 V/m-106 V/m) and, in the low field values, an ultra-high mobility greater than 20 m2/V s. We also study factors eventually leading to lowering of the transport velocity.