Charge distribution and energy levels of trapped electrons in ionic solids

The function of trapping centers in dielectrics has been discussed by Fröhlich¹ who postulates the existence of energy levels due to such centers to explain the breakdown characteristics of amorphous solids at high temperatures. Meyer and Herman² have also considered the effect of such centers on breakdown at low temperatures. The purpose of the present paper is to determine the charge distribution and energy levels of two types of such centers, viz. interstitial ions and F-centers. Such information should be useful in determining the relative importance of these two types of center and may give a rough idea of the concentration at which interference between electrons in trapping centers becomes important.