Anomalous low-frequency dispersion. Near direct current conductivity in disordered low-dimensional materials

Abstract

An interpretation of the anomalous low-frequency dispersion process is presented which is based on a cluster description of the structural ordering and fluctuation in carrier-dominated dielectrics. It is shown that this form of response occurs for systems of low spatial dimensionality and generates a sample-size-dependent conductivity. The relationship of the mechanism to that of power-law noise in electrical systems is identified and its structural interpretation explored. Particular features of hydrogen-bonded systems are described in which the dispersion is likely to be important in a biological context.