Characterizing the functional role of quantum coherence in energy transfer

Abstract:Quantum coherence has been suggested to play a role in excitation energy transfer in open quantum systems, yet a quantitative approach to assessing its influence on the transfer process is still missing. Using Nakajima-Zwanzig projection operators, we derive a general memory kernel identity that enables us to characterize and quantify the impact of coherence in the eigenenergy basis on a generalized rate of energy transfer. Applying our approach to the electronic dynamics of a dimer coupled to a structured phonon bath, we demonstrate how quantum coherence acts to modulate energy transfer.

19 pages, 11 figures. v2: rewritten theory section and fixed math mistake in response to referee comments

Quantum Physics (quant-ph); Chemical Physics (physics.chem-ph)

arXiv:2606.13404 [quant-ph]

(or arXiv:2606.13404v2 [quant-ph] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2606.13404 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite

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