The pre-exponential factor of the escape probability in thermally stimulated processes

Abstract

The pre-exponential factor of the transition probability of a trapped charge carrier into an excited state is evaluated from two different approaches. The semi-classical treatment based on a thermodynamical concept involves the calculation of the vibrational entropy change from the partition sum. The quantum-mechanical treatment deals with non-radiative transitions due to electron-phonon coupling. The factor is found to be explicitely dependent on both the temperature and the lattice vibration frequencies represented by a single Einstein oscillator. In addition, the results from different concepts show similar behaviour. As a consequence the effect of lattice vibrations on the position as well as on the shape of glow peaks in thermally stimulated measurements are investigated on a simple phenomenological base. The analysis of some experimental results can be performed in accordance with the theoretical predictions.