Statics and adiabatic dynamics of nonlinear excitations in defected polyacetylene

Within the Su, Schrieffer and Heeger model we have calculated, both analytically and numerically, the effects of model impurities on the electronic structure and lattice distortion of trans-polyacetylene. We find that the electron-phonon coupling may result in a fundamental alteration of the impurity level location. In simulated photoexcitation experiments on the defected system we find that, in addition to the kinks and breathers produced in the undefected system, ''trapped kinks'', excitons and polarons may also be produced. We suggest that the polarons produced in this novel way may be unusually stable and play an important role in hopping conduction mechanisms