On the super-linear frequency dependent conductivity of amorphous semiconductors

A super-linear frequency dependent conductivity has been observed experimentally in several amorphous semiconductors. An explanation for this behaviour is proposed, in particular for the case of chalcogenide glasses, where it is shown to be a consequence of a particular spatial probability distribution for charged centres. The fundamental mechanism for a.c. conduction in chalcogenide glasses is the same as that proposed previously; namely, the simultaneous hopping of two electrons over the barrier separating two oppositely charged centres, the barrier height being correlated with the intersite separation via the Coulomb interaction. It is demonstrated that this phenomenon should be most marked in those glasses having a large band-gap.