Quantum problem of polaron localization and justification of the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger approximation

We consider a polaron localized on a trap in a one-dimensional lattice with a harmonic potential of nearest-neighbor interaction. We study the lattice oscillations in the framework of quantum mechanics and regard the polaron energy as a functional of the wave function. We take the electron–phonon interaction into account in the framework of the linear Su–Schrieffer–Heeger approximation. We show that the results do not differ from the adiabatic consideration if the lattice oscillations are described classically. For the polaron ground state, we obtain approximate analytic expressions that agree well with the results of numerical simulation.