ON THE MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF SOLITON-MEDIATED LONG-RANGE ELECTRON TRANSFER

Abstract

We discuss here possible models for long-range electron transfer (ET) between a donor (D) and an acceptor (A) along an anharmonic (Morse–Toda) one-dimensional (1d)-lattice. First, it is shown that the electron may form bound states (solectrons) with externally, mechanically excited solitons in the lattice thus leading to one form of soliton-mediated transport. These solectrons generally move with supersonic velocity. Then, in a thermally excited lattice, it is shown that solitons can also trap electrons, forming similar solectron bound states; here, we find that ET based on hopping can be modeled as a diffusion-like process involving not just one but several solitons. It is shown that either of these two soliton-assisted modes of transport can facilitate ET over quite long distances.