The Meyer–Neldel rule for dc activation processes in mixed isoelectronic chalcogens systems

Abstract

The origin of the compensation Meyer–Neldel rule (MNR) for an Arrhenius dc conductivity behavior has been elucidated via comparative analytical studies on non-crystalline and crystalline groups of Se-like structure semiconductors (i.e., mixed isoelectronic chalcogens: Se–S, Se–Te and Se–S–Te systems) with a comparison with those of Si:H. Findings and results disclosed a clear appearance of the MNR in all non-crystalline forms and a common deviation for the crystalline structures. The presence (EMN>0) or absence (EMN<0) of the MNR does not depend entirely on the quantity of the activation energy of conduction process, whether it is small or large. This surveillance brings about a fact that defects associated with disorder do behave in a monotonic similar mode in the two non-crystalline semiconductors types. In this consensus, one can realize that the concept of the multiple excitations entropy stimulated by phonon energy is strongly authenticating the correlation between the two MN parameters (true-prefactor σ00 and MN-energy EMN) for both lone-pair (mixed chalcogens) as well as for tetrahedrally bonded (Si:H) semiconductors.