Universality in the Photophysics of pi-Conjugated Polymers and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

TL;DR

This paper explores the shared photophysical properties of pi-conjugated polymers and single-walled carbon nanotubes, emphasizing their common electronic behaviors and theoretical modeling beyond traditional band theory.

Contribution

It provides a unified theoretical framework to understand the excited states and electronic structures of both materials, guiding future experimental research.

Findings

Similarities in photoexcitation behavior of both materials

Unified theoretical model for electronic structures

Insights into excited state absorptions

Abstract

We describe both pi-conjugated polymers and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes because of the remarkable similarities in their behavior under photoexcitation. The common themes between these two seemingly different classes of materials are pi-conjugation, quasi one-dimensionality, and strong Coulomb interactions. Theoretical understanding of both systems requires going beyond traditional band theory. We present our current understanding of the electronic structures and excited state absorptions in both systems within a common theoretical model. Our aim is to give physical interpretations of experiments that have been performed and to give guidance to future experimental work.