The optical properties in the UV-visible region of poly(ethylene oxide) thi
n films containing 0, 10, 20, 40 and 50% by weight Dead Sea salts are repor
ted. The obtained optical results are analyzed in terms of absorption formu
la for non-crystalline materials. From the optical spectra of the given pol
ymeric system, the absorption coefficients have been calculated at room tem
perature. The values of the optical band width (E-opt) have been obtained f
rom direct allowed transitions in k-space. The width of the tail of localiz
ed states in the band gap (DeltaE) was evaluated from Urbach-edges. It was
found that both energy quantities (E-opt) and (DeltaE) vary with the concen
tration of Dead Sea salts dispersed in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, cor
relation between the energy gaps and the ac conductivity as a function of s
alt complex concentration is reported.