Studies of relaxation processes in organic glasses at low temperatures using the hole-burning spectroscopy technique: Verification of applicability limits of the model of two-level systems

A vitreous state is originally nonequilibrium. Because of this, attempts to classify relaxation processes in glasses as equilibrium and nonequilibrium are, strictly speaking, incorrect. This classification is, however, possible and useful at low temperatures when the model of two-level systems (TLS) appears to be sufficient to describe properties of glasses. Until now, the question of the applicability limits of the TLS model has remained unclear both in the temperature and temporal domains. A number of deviations from the so-called standard TLS model, observed experimentally, can be easily accounted for with allowance for nonequilibrium effects considered as a result of the nonequilibrium state of the TLS ensemble. There are some effects, however, that cannot be consistently explained within the framework of the TLS model. In this paper, we briefly consider the results of studying the relaxation processes in organic glasses at low temperatures in a wide time range using the spectral hole-burning technique. The experimental data are compared with predictions of the TLS model, and spectral criteria for the limits of its applicability are proposed.