The three-dimensional structure of crystalline trans-polyacetylene is examined and a simple model for interchain coupling is derived. The structure of the ground state is analyzed and parameters for parallel versus antiparallel ordering are contrasted. Consequences for the three-dimensional structure of different polymers are discussed.

• Received 12 December 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.40.1962