A simple model for exploring the role of quantum coherence and the environment in excitonic energy transfer

TL;DR

This paper presents a simple model to explore how quantum coherence and environmental interactions influence excitonic energy transfer rates between donors and an acceptor, linking initial states to observable spectral profiles.

Contribution

It introduces a straightforward theoretical framework connecting quantum coherence, environmental effects, and energy transfer rates in excitonic systems.

Findings

Energy transfer rate depends on initial coherent superposition state.

The model relates transfer rate to absorption and emission spectra.

Numerical results validate the analytical expressions.

Abstract

We investigate the role of quantum coherence in modulating the energy transfer rate between two independent energy donors and a single acceptor participating in an excitonic energy transfer process. The energy transfer rate depends explicitly on the nature of the initial coherent superposition state of the two donors and we connect it to the observed absorption profile of the acceptor and the stimulated emission profile of the energy donors. We consider simple models with mesoscopic environments interacting with the donors and the acceptor and compare the expression we obtained for the energy transfer rate with the results of numerical integration.