Coherent Electron Transfer in Polyacetylene

Abstract: We examine, using mixed classical-quantum electron-ion dynamics, electron transfer in a donor-acceptor-like molecular junction system based on polyacetylene. We identify two qualitatively-different transfer regimes: hopping and tunnelling. We discuss the criteria for achieving each one and for minimizing inelastic scattering and decoherence arising from the coupling to the ions, and we connect our main results to quantities derived from electron dynamics involving simpler, three-state model systems. We identify the requirements to have near-ballistic transfer.