Atomic physics

Molecule

J-aggregate

Quantum mechanics

Photoluminescence

Dimer

Optoelectronics

Excited state

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Charge (physics)

Aggregate (composite)

van der Waals force

Chemical physics

Vibronic coupling

Intermolecular force

Coupling (piping)

Exciton

Chemistry

Metallurgy

Materials science

Physics

Chemical Reviews

The electronic excited states of molecular aggregates and their photophysical signatures have long fascinated spectroscopists and theoreticians alike since the advent of Frenkel exciton theory almost 90 years ago. The influence of molecular packing on basic optical probes like absorption and photoluminescence was originally worked out by Kasha for aggregates dominated by Coulombic intermolecular interactions, eventually leading to the classification of J- and H-aggregates. This review outlines advances made in understanding the relationship between aggregate structure and photophysics when vibronic coupling and intermolecular charge transfer are incorporated. An assortment of packing geometries is considered from the humble molecular dimer to more exotic structures including linear and bent aggregates, two-dimensional herringbone and "HJ" aggregates, and chiral aggregates. The interplay between long-range Coulomb coupling and short-range charge-transfer-mediated coupling strongly depends on the aggregate arch...

Expanded Theory of H- and J-Molecular Aggregates: The Effects of Vibronic Coupling and Intermolecular Charge Transfer