Charge Transfer, Symmetry and Dissipation

TL;DR

This paper develops a new charge transfer theory for donor-acceptor molecules under symmetry constraints and dissipation, revealing the limitations of standard models and implications for DNA charge transfer.

Contribution

It introduces a novel two-reaction-coordinate framework for charge transfer under symmetry and dissipation, extending beyond traditional single-coordinate models.

Findings

Standard single-coordinate models break down under symmetry constraints.

A new low-temperature charge transfer theory based on two reaction coordinates.

Implications for understanding charge transfer mechanisms in DNA.

Abstract

We study charge transfer between donor-acceptor molecules subject to a mirror symmetry constraint in the presence of a dissipative environment. The symmetry requirement leads to the breakdown of the standard single reaction coordinate description, and to a new charge transfer theory, in the limit of low temperature, based on two independent reaction coordinates of equal relevance. We discuss implications of these results to charge transfer in DNA.