MEYER-NELDEL CORRELATION IN SEMICONDUCTORS AND MOTT MINIMUM METALLIC CONDUCTIVITY

The paper outlines conditions under which the statistical shift of the Fermi level within the density-of-states (DOS) distribution may result in the Meyer-Neldel correlation. Sufficient conditions have been found: (i) The DOS should have, around the Fermi level, two competing exponential slopes; (ii) The temperature range for the statistical shift should correspond to kT values higher than at least one of these two characteristic energies associated with the slopes. Under such conditions, the Fermi level is no longer the dominant energy for carrier-concentration changes. Relating the Mayer-Neldel correlation to DOS parameters is an essential step in a correct deduction of Mott's minimum-metallic-conductivity value from experiment.