Static capacitor method

Wlien an electrical coimection is made between two metal surfaces, a contact potential difference arises from the transfer of electrons from the metal of lower work function to the second metal until their Femii levels line up. The difference in contact potential between the two metals is just equal to the difference in their respective work fiinctions. In the absence of an applied emf, there is electric field between two parallel metal plates arranged as a capacitor. If a potential is applied, the field can be eliminated and at this point tire potential equals the contact potential difference of tlie two metal plates. If one plate of known work fiinction is used as a reference electrode, the work function of the second plate can be detennined by measuring tliis applied potential between the plates [ ]. One can detemiine the zero-electric-field condition between the two parallel plates by measuring directly the tendency for charge to flow through the external circuit. This is called the static capacitor method [59]. 

Delchar T. Eberhagen A and Tompkins F C 1963 A static capacitor method for the measurement of the surface potential of gases on evaporated metal films J. Sci. Instrum. 40 105-7... 

The static capacitor method is in principle the true original Kelvin technique. In this method, the tendency for charge to flow from the capacitor through the external circuit connecting the capacitator plates is detected, and then a backing-off potential is rapidly applied until charge ceasestoflow. ... 

The second method of improving the power factor of an installation is to provide static capacitor banks. These can be installed as a single block at the point of supply busbar, as a set of switchable banks or as individual units connected to specific loads. For an installation where no synchronous machines are installed for other purposes (i.e. as prime movers or generators) then static capacitor banks are almost invariably the most cost-effective way of improving the power factor. 

Ac coupling A method of coupling one circuit to another through a capacitor or transformer so as to transmit the varying (ac) characteristics of the signal while blocking the static (dc)... 

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