Targeted energy transfer dynamics and chemical reactions

Abstract

Ultrafast reaction processes take place when resonant features of nonlinear model systems are taken into account. In the targeted energy or electron transfer dimer model this is accomplished through the implementation of nonlinear oscillators with opposing types of nonlinearities, one attractive while the second repulsive. In the present work we show that this resonant behavior survives if we take into account the vibrational degrees of freedom as well. After giving a summary on the basic formalism of chemical reactions we show that resonant electron transfer can be assisted by vibrations. We find the condition for this efficient transfer and show that in the case of additional interaction with noise a distinct non-Arrhenius behavior develops that is markedly different from the usual Kramers-like activated transfer.