Charge localization in a layer induced by electron-phonon interaction: application to transient polaron formation

We describe electron transfer and localization in a finite two-dimensional transporting layer (15 × 15) using a tight binding Hamiltonian where each site is coupled to phonons. For a narrow electronic band, a polaron is formed with a population that peaks in the middle of the layer and exhibits a concomitant energy lowering. A “local defect” can be simulated by lowering or raising the corresponding site energy. As an example, if we put the defect in one corner, the consequence is that the electron population builds up a polaron which is repelled from this region. The model has been applied to describe the experimentally observed real time polaron formation process in organic layers and in particular in the surface bands of ice-covered metal. We simulate the polaron formation, population distribution and energy relaxation in time. We also investigate the effect of local fluctuations on polaron formation. The formalism can be generalized to excitonic trapping, and has many potential applications.