Optical spectra in conducting polymers: Breaking of symmetries

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Abstract
Within a continuum electron-phonon-coupled model, theoretical calculations are presented for the optical absorption due to polarons in conducting polymers. We show that the symmetries of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model for these systems have to be broken, and a realistic physical model is introduced for this purpose. As a result of the additional electron-phonon coupling, the experimental signatures such as absorption intensities can now be explained quite satisfactorily. Several other mechanisms including electron-electron interactions are discussed as well.