Ballistic and diffusive vibrational energy transport in molecules

Abstract

Energy transport in molecules is essential for many areas of science and technology. Strong covalent bonds of a molecular backbone can facilitate the involvement of the molecule's high-frequency modes in energy transport, which, under certain conditions, makes the transport fast and efficient. We discuss such conditions and describe various transport regimes in molecules, including ballistic, diffusive, directed diffusion, and intermediate regime cases, in light of recently developed experimental and theoretical approaches.