Within a Peierls continuum description of the infinite polyyne chain $($$C\equiv C$$)$ it is found that the polymer possesses soliton excitations with charges $\pm 2e$, $\pm e$, and 0 and polaron states with charges $\pm e$, $\pm 2e$, and $\pm 3e$. An excitation ("polarexciton") consisting of an electron and a hole bound by lattice distortion is also found and may be photogenerated in the polymer.

• Received 20 July 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.51.2136