ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on dynamical repertoire of interacting networks. It considers a fixed system with varying “compartmentalization” features. A concrete example of this type is the transition from a two-dimensional electron sea separating a matrix of nonconducting islands (a so-called antidot array) to a matrix of isolated electron pools. In the system envisaged by Knoll and Mehring the structure is further scaled down so that the network nodes become individual donor–acceptor segments (separated by a spacer) on molecular chains or films. Consequently the relevant electronic energies form a finite discrete spectrum (containing at least three states), if phonon side bands, i.e., coupling to quasicontinua resulting from other degrees of freedom, can be neglected. With respect to those charge states the system can be tailored to approximate a molecular shift register, but only if an appropriate superstructure (i.e., comprising alternating subunits) is used and if the transfer is restricted to nearest neighbors.
