Self-Trapping of Polarons in the Rashba-Pekar Model

TL;DR

This study uses quantum Monte Carlo methods to analyze the self-trapping phenomenon of polarons in the Rashba-Pekar model, providing detailed data on various properties across the crossover region.

Contribution

First comprehensive quantum Monte Carlo analysis of polaron self-trapping in the Rashba-Pekar model with detailed property data.

Findings

Self-trapping involves at least three states, not just hybridization of two.

Accurate data for energy, mass, and spectral functions across the crossover.

Self-trapping cannot be explained solely by two-state hybridization.

Abstract

We performed quantum Monte Carlo study of the exciton-polaron model which features the self-trapping phenomenon when the coupling strength and/or particle momentum is varied. For the first time accurate data for energy, effective mass, the structure of the polaronic cloud, dispersion law, and spectral function are available throughout the crossover region. We observed that self-trapping can not be reduced to hybridization of two states with different lattice deformation, and that at least three states are involved in the crossover from light- to heavy-mass regimes.