Capacitor Self Resonant Frequency
A capacitor has no self resonant
frequency. This is because it has no internal series inductance.
The L-C-R model for a capacitor
is false.
A capacitor is a two conductor transmission
line in the manner of a 50 ohm coaxial cable (slit down the side and opened out
flat), but with extremely small characteristic impedance [Note 1.]. Like the
coaxial cable, the transient, initial impedance of a capacitor when presented
with a voltage step is resistive, not reactive.
The so-called self resonant
frequency results from the inclusion of a capacitor’s legs as part of the
component. The formula for self resonant frequency is ω = 1/√LC , where the L is the inductance of the single loop made
up of the capacitor’s legs, external to the component. [Note
2.]
The idea that low value
capacitors have a better high frequency performance came from the fact that the
above formula for self resonant frequency ω = 1/√LC gives a higher
value if either L or C are reduced. If the legs stay the same, L stays the
same. So change in self resonant frequency results from
reducing the value of C. Ergo, low value capacitors have a higher self
resonant frequency. The worst capacitors are the best.
Note
1. For the Zo of a transmission line, see http://www.ivorcatt.org/image/page95xtra-large.gif
A number of factors combine to
give a capacitor a very low characteristic impedance Zo,
and thus a very low transient resistance when addressed by a voltage step.
First, the thickness of the dielectric d is very small. Second, the width of
the top and bottom plates w which make up the capacitor is relatively very
large. Thirdly, the dielectric constant of the dielectric is very high indeed.
Note
2. The
following pages may help you to grasp the real physical make-up of a capacitor,
as opposed to the conventional, false, LRC model.
http://www.ivorcatt.org/icrwiworld78dec1.htm
. Actually, Figure 2 on page 2 is a more accurate depiction of a real capacitor
than is Figure 1. A capacitor is a parallel plate transmission line with
connections at one end. This is represented in Figure 2 by the two lines to the
right of the resistor and battery.
http://www.ivorcatt.co.uk/4_5.htm
. Here we see the true nature of the oscillation when an inductor is connected
to a capacitor. It is not a sine wave, but rather a series of steps.
Wikipedia suppresses the truth.
