Quantum
confinement in nanoscale materials allows Auger-type electron–hole
energy exchange. We show by direct time-domain atomistic simulation
and analytic theory that Auger processes give rise to a new mechanism
of charge transfer (CT) on the nanoscale. Auger-assisted CT eliminates
the renown Marcus inverted regime, rationalizing recent experiments
on CT from quantum dots to molecular adsorbates. The ab initio simulation
reveals a complex interplay of the electron–hole and charge–phonon
channels of energy exchange, demonstrating a variety of CT scenarios.
The developed Marcus rate theory for Auger-assisted CT describes,
without adjustable parameters, the experimental plateau of the CT
rate in the region of large donor–acceptor energy gap. The
analytic theory and atomistic insights apply broadly to charge and
energy transfer in nanoscale systems
