Dielectric constants what is the limit

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the properties of dielectric constants, specifically seeking to identify materials with the highest dielectric constants and their corresponding breakdown voltages. It touches on the challenges of measuring these properties accurately and the dependence of dielectric constants on temperature and frequency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the material with the highest dielectric constant and the highest achievable breakdown voltage.
  • Another participant references Wikipedia as a source for lists of dielectric constants and breakdown voltages, providing a specific example of air's dielectric strength.
  • A participant notes that dielectric constants are temperature- and frequency-dependent, highlighting the difficulty in providing exact values. They mention strontium oxide as an example, with a dielectric constant that varies significantly with temperature and frequency.
  • One participant presents a speculative calculation regarding the dielectric constant of an electron, suggesting a value of about 432, while acknowledging the uncertainty and complexity surrounding the nature of electrons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying viewpoints on the measurement and characteristics of dielectric constants, with no consensus reached on the highest dielectric constant or breakdown voltage. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact values and implications of the properties discussed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the temperature and frequency dependence of dielectric constants, as well as the challenges in accurately measuring high dielectric constants.

mishraanwesh
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Hi there,

Do we know which material has the highest dielectric constant (exact figures would be nice),and what is the highest break down voltage achievable for that particular material.
 
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The dielectric constant is temperature- and frequency dependent (in some materials there is a very strong dependence) which is why it is difficult to give exact values. High dielectric constants are also very difficult to measure with good accuracy.

A good example is strontium oxide (STO) which has a dielectric constant of about 300 or so at RTand MW freuquency, but that values goes up to to tens of thousands at cryogenic temperatures (unless you go up to about 1 THz or so when it drops down to about 10 or so)
 
I once did a back-of-the-napkin calculation that, if we assume an electron is a dielectric-filled shell (mass) with a uniform surface charge (... total charge e ), the dielectric relative dielectric constant of the electron would be about 432. Probably not right.

I've changed my model a bit in the past year, but it's an interesting question to raise. What is an electron? No one knows. Anyone who says they do, is a liar.

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