Quantum breaking of ergodicity in semi-classical charge transfer dynamics

Abstract: Does electron transfer (ET) kinetics within a single-electron trajectory description always coincide with the ensemble description? This fundamental question of ergodic behavior is scrutinized within a very basic semi-classical curve-crossing problem of quantum Landau-Zener tunneling between two electronic states with overdamped classical reaction coordinate. It is shown that in the limit of non-adiabatic electron transfer (weak tunneling) well-described by the Marcus-Levich-Dogonadze (MLD) rate the answer is yes. However, in the limit of the so-called solvent-controlled adiabatic electron transfer a profound breaking of ergodicity occurs. The ensemble survival probability remains nearly exponential with the inverse rate given by the sum of the adiabatic curve crossing (Kramers) time and inverse MLD rate. However, near to adiabatic regime, the single-electron survival probability is clearly non-exponential but possesses an exponential tail which agrees well with the ensemble description. Paradoxically, the mean transfer time in this classical on the ensemble level regime is well described by the inverse of nonadiabatic quantum tunneling rate on a single particle level.