Density-functional tight-binding: basic concepts and applications to molecules and clusters

The scope of this article is to present an overview of the Density Functional based Tight Binding (DFTB) method and its applications. The paper introduces the basics of DFTB and its standard formulation up to second order. It also addresses methodological developments such as third order expansion, inclusion of non-covalent interactions, schemes to solve the self-interaction error, implementation of long-range short-range separation, treatment of excited states via the time-dependent DFTB scheme, inclusion of DFTB in hybrid high-level/low level schemes (DFT/DFTB or DFTB/MM), fragment decomposition of large systems, large scale potential energy landscape exploration with molecular dynamics in ground or excited states, non-adiabatic dynamics. A number of applications are reviewed, focusing on -(i)- the variety of systems that have been studied such as small molecules, large molecules and biomolecules, bare orfunctionalized clusters, supported or embedded systems, and -(ii)- properties and processes, such as vibrational spectroscopy, collisions, fragmentation, thermodynamics or non-adiabatic dynamics. Finally outlines and perspectives are given.

The ultra-photostable and electrically modulated Stimulated Emission in perylene-based dye doped liquid crystal

One of the most important drawback of organic dyes is their low photo-stability which reduces possibility of their commercial utilization. In this article we employ the strategy of dye re-crystallization from oversaturated matrix in order to enhance material's durability. One of the main advantages of perylene derivative is ability to form emissive j-aggregates, good miscibility and incorporation into liquid crystalline matrix. Investigation of perylene-based dye and LC matrix brought as the result very efficient light amplification modulation by applied external electric field. In our article we show that Stimulated Emission (STE) is possible to achieve from perylene-derivative based system, at typical fluence thresholds for laser dyes: 3.9 mJ/cm2. Moreover, presented system proves ultra-high photostability, showing lack of STE reduction even after 12 000 excitation laser pulses. Furthermore, we proved the possibility of light emission intensity control using external electric field.

All-DFTB Approach to the Parametrization of the System-Bath Hamiltonian Describing Exciton-Vibrational Dynamics of Molecular Assemblies

Spectral density functions are central to the simulation of complex many body systems. Their determination requires making approximations not only to the dynamics but also to the underlying electronic structure theory. Here, blending different methods bears the danger of an inconsistent description. To solve this issue we propose an all-DFTB approach to determine spectral densities for the description of Frenkel excitons in molecular assemblies. The protocol is illustrated for a model of a PTCDI crystal, which involves the calculation of monomeric excitation energies and Coulomb couplings between monomer transitions, as well as their spectral distributions due to thermal fluctuations of the nuclei. Using dynamically defined normal modes, a mapping onto the standard harmonic oscillator spectral densities is achieved.

The dimer-approach to characterize opto-electronic properties of and exciton trapping and diffusion in organic semiconductor aggregates and crystals

We present the recently developed dimer approach which seems to include all main effects determining the photo-physics of organic semiconductor aggregates.