Probing an Isolated Conjugated Polymer Molecule with Radiation-Generated Spin-Correlated Polaron Pairs

An understanding of the interplay between the spin and electronic degrees of freedom of polarons migrating along conjugated polymer molecules is required to further the development of organic electronics and spintronics. In this study, a novel experimental approach is proposed for studying spin-correlated polaron pairs (PPs) on an isolated molecule of a conjugated polymer. The polymer molecule of interest is immobilized in a nonluminescent poly(vinyl chloride) matrix, which is irradiated with X-rays to rapidly form secondary PPs on the conjugated polymer. The migration, recombination, and evolution of the spin state of the PPs can be monitored at nanosecond resolution by observing the recombination fluorescence under different magnetic fields. Examples supporting this concept are presented.

Automated summary

A novel experimental approach is proposed to study spin-correlated polaron pairs on conjugated polymer molecules, with the migration, recombination, and evolution of the spin state of the pairs monitored at nanosecond resolution by observing recombination fluorescence under different magnetic fields.