09/24/2010

Ultrafast Structural Motions in Semiconducting Polymers

Recent research from the research group of Professor Aaron Massari

The role of structural motions in facilitating or preventing charge conduction through organic thin films is predicted to be significant, although experimental studies to correlate these variables are scarce. Recent work by graduate student Audrey Eigner from the research group of Prof. Aaron Massari uses two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy to report on these fast solid-state dynamics and their connections to charge mobilities. In particular, the results of this study corroborate theoretic predictions that low frequency ring-ring torsional motions could be particularly detrimental to charge conduction.