Scaling and universality in the optics of disordered exciton chains

The joint probability distribution of exciton energies and transition dipole moments determines a variety of optical observables in disordered exciton systems. We demonstrate numerically that this distribution obeys a one-parameter scaling, originating from the fact that both the energy and the dipole moment are determined by the number of coherently bound molecules. A universal underlying distribution is found, which is identical for uncorrelated Gaussian disorder in the molecular transition energies or in the intermolecular transfer interactions. The universality breaks down for disorder in the transfer interactions resulting from variations in the molecular positions. We suggest the possibility to probe the joint distribution by means of single-molecule spectroscopy.