Validity of Förster Theory for Vibrational Energy Transfer in Low-Dimensional Water

Kinetics of vibrational Förster resonance energy transfer between the OH bonds of one-, two-, and three-dimensional liquid water is modeled by a Förster type of theory reflecting the excluded volume of intermolecular pairs of the bonds. When the size of excluded volume is comparable to so-called Förster radius of the bonds, the energy transfer kinetics is delayed from the prediction of Förster theory. The delay persists longer in the lower dimensions and results in the quantum yield of energy transfer to deviate more largely from the prediction of Förster theory. The excluded volume which is not taken into account by Förster theory is a critical factor for the correct description of vibrational Förster resonance energy transfer particularly in low-dimensional water.