Long-range resonance energy transfer in molecular systems

The current state of understanding of molecular resonance energy transfer (RET) and recent developments in the field are reviewed. The development of more general theoretical approaches has uncovered some new principles underlying RET processes. This review brings many of these important new concepts together into a generalization of Forster's original theory. The conclusions of studies investigating the various approximations in Forster theory are summarized. Areas of present and future activity are discussed. The review covers Forster theory for donor-acceptor pairs and electronic coupling for singlet-singlet, triplet-triplet, and superexchange-mediated energy transfer. This includes the transition density picture of Coulombic coupling as well as electronic coupling between molecular aggregates (excitons). Spectral overlaps and ensemble energy transfer rates in disordered aggregates, the role of dielectric properties of the medium, weak versus strong coupling, and new models for energy transfer in complex molecular assemblies are also described.