Parallel plate capacitor with layers of dielectrics in between

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the behavior of a parallel plate capacitor with multiple dielectric layers between its plates. It establishes that the displacement field \( D \) remains constant across all dielectric layers, as dictated by Gauss's law, where \( D = \sigma \). However, the boundary conditions at the interfaces between dielectrics indicate that the bound charge density \( \sigma_b^{ij} \) should not equal zero, contradicting the initial assumption. The key takeaway is that the divergence of the displacement field accounts for free charge, while bound charge arises from the polarization density difference.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss's Law in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with electric displacement field \( D \) and polarization density
  • Knowledge of boundary conditions for dielectric interfaces
  • Concept of bound charges in dielectrics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Gauss's Law in the context of dielectrics
  • Learn about the relationship between electric displacement field \( D \) and polarization density
  • Explore the implications of bound charge in layered dielectric materials
  • Investigate the mathematical treatment of boundary conditions in electrostatics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for electrical engineers, physicists, and students studying electromagnetism, particularly those focusing on capacitor design and dielectric materials.

ShayanJ
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Consider a parallel plate capacitor with layers of dielectric between its plates somehow that the interfaces between them are parallel to the plates of the capacitor. If the surface charge density on the plates of the capacitors be \sigma , gauss's law gives D=\sigma which is the same inside all dielectric layers.
But as boundary conditions for interfaces between dielectrics, we have | D_i-D_j |=\sigma_b^{ij} and the fact that the displacement field is the same inside all dielectrics, gives \sigma_b^{ij} =0. But I know that there should be a surface density of bound charges on the interfaces which tells me something is wrong in the above argument.
What is that?
Thanks
 
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The divergence of the displacement field gives you the free charge, not the bound charge. So the continuity of the normal displacement field tells you that there is no free charge at the interface, not bound charge.

The bound charge is the negative divergence of the polarization density, the difference between the vacuum displacement field and the displacement field.
 

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