Electronic band structure of conjugated polymers

Basic to an understanding of electronic, optical and transport properties of conjugated polymers is a knowledge of the underlying electronic structure, the so-called band structure. In this paper, the concept of band structure in one-dimensional conjugated systems is developed for the non-expert in solid state physics. An outline of the mathematical rationale, as well as an overview of the most commonly used theoretical and experimental methods, are provided. The results of combined theoretical-experimental studies are illustrated with several examples.