Single molecule waiting time distribution functions in quantum processes

The statistics of single molecule blinking events often reveal underlying q uantum mechanisms. The golden rule rate expression for quantum transitions is shown to be the inverse of the mean waiting time. The distribution funct ion for the waiting time is related to the density of states such that simp le power-law distribution functions can be predicted based on the functiona l form for the density of states. Explicit formulas are derived for waiting time distribution functions in three kinetic processes: Quantum tunneling, intersystem conversion, and nonstationary electron transfer. (C) 2001 Amer ican Institute of Physics.