Unusual Soliton Properties of the Infinite Polyyne Chain

Abstract

Within a Peierls continuum description of the infinite polyyne chain $($$C\ensuremath{\equiv}C$$)$ it is found that the polymer possesses soliton excitations with charges $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2e$, $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}e$, and 0 and polaron states with charges $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}e$, $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2e$, and $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3e$. An excitation ("polarexciton") consisting of an electron and a hole bound by lattice distortion is also found and may be photogenerated in the polymer.