Modeling of ion transport processes in disordered solids: Monte Carlo simulations of the low-temperature particle dynamics in the random barrier model

One of the simplest models describing the ion transport in disordered ionic conductors on a microscopic level is the random barrier model. Using Monte Carlo techniques, we simulate, for the first time, the low-temperature particle dynamics in random barrier model systems with long-range Coulomb interactions between the mobile particles. The ac conductivity spectra of these model systems are compared to those of ion conducting glasses, and it is shown that model spectra and experimental spectra exhibit a number of common features. On the basis of these results, the influence of the Coulomb interactions on the low-temperature particle dynamics in the random barrier model is discussed.