The polaron formation is investigated in the intermediate regime of the Holstein model by using an exact diagonalization technique for the one-dimensional infinite lattice. The numerical results for the electron and phonon propagators are compared to the nonadiabatic weak- and strong-coupling perturbation theories, as well as with the harmonic adiabatic approximation. A qualitative explanation of the crossover regime between the self-trapped and free-particle-like behaviors, not well understood previously, is proposed. It is shown that a fine balance of nonadiabatic and adiabatic contributions determines the motion of small polarons, making them light. A comprehensive analysis of spatially and temporally resolved low-frequency lattice correlations that characterize the translationally invariant polaron states is derived. Various behaviors of the polaronic deformation field, ranging from classical adiabatic for strong couplings to quantum nonadiabatic for weak couplings, are discussed.The polaron formation is investigated in the intermediate regime of the Holstein model by using an exact diagonalization technique for the one-dimensional infinite lattice. The numerical results for the electron and phonon propagators are compared to the nonadiabatic weak- and strong-coupling perturbation theories, as well as with the harmonic adiabatic approximation. A qualitative explanation of the crossover regime between the self-trapped and free-particle-like behaviors, not well understood previously, is proposed. It is shown that a fine balance of nonadiabatic and adiabatic contributions determines the motion of small polarons, making them light. A comprehensive analysis of spatially and temporally resolved low-frequency lattice correlations that characterize the translationally invariant polaron states is derived. Various behaviors of the polaronic deformation field, ranging from classical adiabatic for strong couplings to quantum nonadiabatic for weak couplings, are discussed.

Physical Review BJun 19, 200629 citations

Polarons and slow quantum phonons

Andreas Alvermann, Holger Fehske, S. A. Trugman

We describe the formation and properties of Holstein polarons in the entire parameter regime. Our presentation focuses on the polaron mass and radius, which we obtain with an improved numerical technique. It is based on the combination of variational exact diagonalization with an improved construction of phonon states, providing results even for the strong coupling adiabatic regime. In particular we can describe the formation of large and heavy adiabatic polarons. A comparison of the polaron mass for the one- and three-dimensional situation explains how the different properties in the static oscillator limit determine the behavior in the adiabatic regime. The transport properties of large and small polarons are characterized by the $f$ -sum rule and the optical conductivity. Our calculations are approximation free and have negligible numerical error. This allows us to give a conclusive and impartial description of polaron formation. We finally discuss the implications of our results for situations beyond the Holstein model.We describe the formation and properties of Holstein polarons in the entire parameter regime. Our presentation focuses on the polaron mass and radius, which we obtain with an improved numerical technique. It is based on the combination of variational exact diagonalization with an improved construction of phonon states, providing results even for the strong coupling adiabatic regime. In particular we can describe the formation of large and heavy adiabatic polarons. A comparison of the polaron mass for the one- and three-dimensional situation explains how the different properties in the static oscillator limit determine the behavior in the adiabatic regime. The transport properties of large and small polarons are characterized by the $f$-sum rule and the optical conductivity. Our calculations are approximation free and have negligible numerical error. This allows us to give a conclusive and impartial description of polaron formation. We finally discuss the implications of our results for situations beyond the Holstein model.

arXiv:1001.2482Physical Review BApr 21, 201049 citations

Self-trapping problem of electrons or excitons in one dimension

Gerhard Wellein, Holger Fehske

We present a detailed numerical study of the one-dimensional Holstein model with a view to understanding the self-trapping process of electrons or excitons in crystals with short-range particle-lattice interactions. Applying a very efficient variational Lanczos method, we are able to analyze the ground-state properties of the system in the weak- and strong-coupling, adiabatic and nonadiabatic regimes on lattices large enough to eliminate finite-size effects. In particular, we obtain the complete phase diagram and comment on the existence of a critical length for self-trapping in finite (closed) one-dimensional systems. In order to characterize large and small polaron states we calculate self-consistently the lattice distortions and the particle-phonon correlation functions. In the strong-coupling case, two distinct types of small polaron states are shown to be possible according to the relative importance of static displacement field and dynamic polaron effects. Special emphasis is on the intermediate-coupling regime, which we also study by means of direct diagonalization, preserving the full dynamics and quantum nature of phonons. The crossover from large to small polarons shows up in a strong decrease of the kinetic energy accompanied by a substantial change in the optical absorption spectra. We show that our numerical results in all important limiting cases reveal excellent agreement with both analytical perturbation theory predictions and very recent density matrix renormalization group data.We present a detailed numerical study of the one-dimensional Holstein model with a view to understanding the self-trapping process of electrons or excitons in crystals with short-range particle-lattice interactions. Applying a very efficient variational Lanczos method, we are able to analyze the ground-state properties of the system in the weak- and strong-coupling, adiabatic and nonadiabatic regimes on lattices large enough to eliminate finite-size effects. In particular, we obtain the complete phase diagram and comment on the existence of a critical length for self-trapping in finite (closed) one-dimensional systems. In order to characterize large and small polaron states we calculate self-consistently the lattice distortions and the particle-phonon correlation functions. In the strong-coupling case, two distinct types of small polaron states are shown to be possible according to the relative importance of static displacement field and dynamic polaron effects. Special emphasis is on the intermediate-coupling regime, which we also study by means of direct diagonalization, preserving the full dynamics and quantum nature of phonons. The crossover from large to small polarons shows up in a strong decrease of the kinetic energy accompanied by a substantial change in the optical absorption spectra. We show that our numerical results in all important limiting cases reveal excellent agreement with both analytical perturbation theory predictions and very recent density matrix renormalization group data.

arXiv:cond-mat/9712238Physical review. B, Condensed matterSep 1, 1998101 citations

Polarons by translationally invariant diagrammatic perturbation theory

O. S. Barišić, S. Barišić

The structure of the translationally-invariant diagrammatic perturbation theory for one polaron is examined on the 1D discrete lattice described by the Holstein Hamiltonian. The latter is characterized by the electron hopping t, the phonon frequency ω_0 and the electron-phonon coupling g. It is shown that the polaron localization (and translation) properties are contained in the electron propagator of one electron, intermittently added to the lattice, and/or in the phonon correlation function with one electron permanently present in the lattice. The order by order analysis in g/ω_0 shows that the expansion of the irreducible electron self-energy corresponds to the expansion of the phonon correlation function, rather than of the irreducible phonon self-energy. The range of polaronic correlations is determined in this way. For small t/ω_0 and already to the second order g/ω_0 small, the electron-lattice correlation becomes very short ranged, i.e. the polaron is already localized to one site, although the overall translational symmetry remains unbroken. For large t/ω0, the second order result is meaningful up to large g/ω_0 ≈ (t/ω_0)^\frac14, where it becomes degenerate with the results for the large adiabatic Holstein polaron. This suggests that the translationally invariant perturbation theory crosses then over smoothly, without symmetry breaking, into the adiabatic, continuous quantum limit, as rigorously demonstrated in the companion paper. Thus the quantum theory of the large adiabatic Holstein polaron provides a simple, instructive example of the quantum crossover which replaces the behavior in the quantum critical point.The structure of the translationally-invariant diagrammatic perturbation theory for one polaron is examined on the 1D discrete lattice described by the Holstein Hamiltonian. The latter is characterized by the electron hopping t, the phonon frequency ω_0 and the electron-phonon coupling g. It is shown that the polaron localization (and translation) properties are contained in the electron propagator of one electron, intermittently added to the lattice, and/or in the phonon correlation function with one electron permanently present in the lattice. The order by order analysis in g/ω_0 shows that the expansion of the irreducible electron self-energy corresponds to the expansion of the phonon correlation function, rather than of the irreducible phonon self-energy. The range of polaronic correlations is determined in this way. For small t/ω_0 and already to the second order g/ω_0 small, the electron-lattice correlation becomes very short ranged, i.e. the polaron is already localized to one site, although the overall translational symmetry remains unbroken. For large t/ω0, the second order result is meaningful up to large g/ω_0 ≈ (t/ω_0)^\frac14, where it becomes degenerate with the results for the large adiabatic Holstein polaron. This suggests that the translationally invariant perturbation theory crosses then over smoothly, without symmetry breaking, into the adiabatic, continuous quantum limit, as rigorously demonstrated in the companion paper. Thus the quantum theory of the large adiabatic Holstein polaron provides a simple, instructive example of the quantum crossover which replaces the behavior in the quantum critical point.

FizAJan 1, 20050 citations

Variational study of the Holstein polaron

O. S. Barišić

The paper deals with the ground and the first excited state of the polaron in the one-dimensional Holstein model. Various variational methods are used to investigate both the weak-coupling and strong-coupling case, as well as the crossover regime between them. Two of the methods, presented here, introduce interesting elements to the understanding of the nature of the polaron. Reliable numerical evidence is found that, in the strong-coupling regime, the ground and the first excited state of the self-trapped polaron are well described within the adiabatic limit. The lattice vibration modes associated with the self-trapped polarons are analyzed in detail, and the frequency softening of the vibration mode at the central site of the small polaron is estimated. It is shown that the first excited state of the system in the strong-coupling regime corresponds to the excitation of the soft phonon mode within the polaron. In the crossover regime, the ground and the first excited state of the system can be approximated by the anticrossing of the self-trapped and the delocalized polaron state. In this way, the connection between the behavior of the ground and the first excited state is qualitatively explained.The paper deals with the ground and the first excited state of the polaron in the one-dimensional Holstein model. Various variational methods are used to investigate both the weak-coupling and strong-coupling case, as well as the crossover regime between them. Two of the methods, presented here, introduce interesting elements to the understanding of the nature of the polaron. Reliable numerical evidence is found that, in the strong-coupling regime, the ground and the first excited state of the self-trapped polaron are well described within the adiabatic limit. The lattice vibration modes associated with the self-trapped polarons are analyzed in detail, and the frequency softening of the vibration mode at the central site of the small polaron is estimated. It is shown that the first excited state of the system in the strong-coupling regime corresponds to the excitation of the soft phonon mode within the polaron. In the crossover regime, the ground and the first excited state of the system can be approximated by the anticrossing of the self-trapped and the delocalized polaron state. In this way, the connection between the behavior of the ground and the first excited state is qualitatively explained.

arXiv:cond-mat/0101162Physical review. B, Condensed matterMar 12, 200240 citations

Calculation of excited polaron states in the Holstein model

O. S. Barišić

An exact-diagonalization technique is used to investigate the low-lying excited polaron states in the Holstein model for the infinite one-dimensional lattice. For moderate values of the adiabatic ratio, a comprehensive picture, involving three excited (coherent) polaron bands below the phonon threshold, is obtained. The coherent contribution of the excited states to both the single-electron spectral density and the optical conductivity is evaluated and, due to the invariance of the Hamiltonian under the space inversion, the two are shown to contain complementary information about the single-electron system at zero temperature. The chosen method reveals the connection between the excited bands and the renormalized local phonon excitations of the adiabatic theory, as well as the regime of parameters for which the electron self-energy has notable nonlocal contributions. Finally, it is shown that the hybridization of two polaron states allows a simple description of the ground and first excited states in the crossover regime.An exact-diagonalization technique is used to investigate the low-lying excited polaron states in the Holstein model for the infinite one-dimensional lattice. For moderate values of the adiabatic ratio, a comprehensive picture, involving three excited (coherent) polaron bands below the phonon threshold, is obtained. The coherent contribution of the excited states to both the single-electron spectral density and the optical conductivity is evaluated and, due to the invariance of the Hamiltonian under the space inversion, the two are shown to contain complementary information about the single-electron system at zero temperature. The chosen method reveals the connection between the excited bands and the renormalized local phonon excitations of the adiabatic theory, as well as the regime of parameters for which the electron self-energy has notable nonlocal contributions. Finally, it is shown that the hybridization of two polaron states allows a simple description of the ground and first excited states in the crossover regime.

arXiv:cond-mat/0211189Physical Review BFeb 12, 200440 citations

f

-sum rule and the optical conductivity. Our calculations are approximation free and have negligible numerical error. This allows us to give a conclusive and impartial description of polaron formation. We finally discuss the implications of our results for situations beyond the Holstein model.