Optical spectra in the condensed phase: Capturing anharmonic and vibronic features using dynamic and static approaches

Simulating optical spectra in the condensed phase remains a challenge for theory due to the need to capture spectral signatures arising from anharmonicity and dynamical effects, such as vibronic progressions and asymmetry. As such, numerous simulation methods have been developed that invoke different approximations and vary in their ability to capture different physical regimes. Here, we use several models of chromophores in the condensed phase and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to rigorously assess the applicability of methods to simulate optical absorption spectra. Specifically, we focus on the ensemble scheme, which can address anharmonic potential energy surfaces but relies on the applicability of extreme nuclear-electronic time scale separation; the Franck-Condon method, which includes dynamical effects but generally only at the harmonic level; and the recently introduced ensemble zero-temperature Franck-Condon approach, which straddles these limits. We also devote particular attention to the performance of methods derived from a cumulant expansion of the energy gap fluctuations and test the ability to approximate the requisite time correlation functions using classical dynamics with quantum correction factors. These results provide insights as to when these methods are applicable and able to capture the features of condensed phase spectra qualitatively and, in some cases, quantitatively across a range of regimes.