Abstract

The density of states $\ensuremath{\rho}(E)$ in the tail for an electron in a correlated Gaussian random potential in three dimensions is constructed from first principles by means of a simple physical argument. This yields a linear exponential dependence of $\ensuremath{\rho}$ on $E$ which, for reasonable values of the rms potential fluctuation and correlation length, spans many decades, and occupies most of the experimentally observable energy range. This is suggested as the origin of the fundamental Urbach optical-absorption edge.

Keywords

PhysicsAbsorption edgeObservableElectronAbsorption (acoustics)GaussianCondensed matter physicsRange (aeronautics)Band gapQuantum mechanicsOpticsMaterials science

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Publication Info

Year
1986
Type
article
Volume
57
Issue
14
Pages
1777-1780
Citations
306
Access
Closed

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Sajeev John, Costas M. Soukoulis, Morrel H. Cohen et al. (1986). Theory of Electron Band Tails and the Urbach Optical-Absorption Edge. Physical Review Letters , 57 (14) , 1777-1780. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.57.1777

Identifiers

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.57.1777