Core Specifications
Glossary of Terms
A comprehensive glossary of technical terms used throughout the VIC Matrix educational content and calculator.
A
- AL (Inductance Factor)
- A core specification in nH/turn² that allows quick calculation of inductance: L = AL × N²
- Alpha (α) - Cole-Cole
- Distribution parameter (0-1) in the Cole-Cole model. α=0 is ideal Debye relaxation; higher values indicate broader distribution of relaxation times.
- Alpha (α) - Damping
- Damping factor in an RLC circuit: α = R/(2L). Determines how quickly oscillations decay.
- Amplitude
- The maximum value of an oscillating quantity, such as voltage or current.
B
- Bandwidth (BW)
- The frequency range over which a resonant circuit responds effectively. BW = f₀/Q for a series RLC circuit.
- Bifilar Winding
- A winding technique where two wires are wound together in parallel, creating tight magnetic coupling and significant inter-winding capacitance.
- Blocking Electrode
- An electrode where no Faradaic (electrochemical) reactions occur, behaving purely as a capacitor.
C
- Capacitance (C)
- The ability to store electric charge. Measured in Farads (F). C = Q/V where Q is charge and V is voltage.
- Characteristic Impedance (Z₀)
- The ratio √(L/C) for an LC circuit. Represents the impedance level of the resonant system.
- Charge Transfer Resistance (Rct)
- The resistance associated with electron transfer at an electrode surface during electrochemical reactions.
- Choke
- An inductor used in a circuit to block or impede certain frequencies while allowing others to pass. In VIC context, the resonating inductors.
- Cole-Cole Model
- A mathematical model describing frequency-dependent dielectric behavior with distributed relaxation times.
- Constant Phase Element (CPE)
- A circuit element with impedance Z = 1/[Q(jω)n], used to model non-ideal capacitor behavior in electrochemical systems.
- Coupling Coefficient (k)
- A measure of magnetic coupling between inductors (0-1). k = M/√(L₁L₂) where M is mutual inductance.
D
- DCR (DC Resistance)
- The resistance of an inductor measured with direct current. Primary contributor to inductor losses.
- Debye Length (λD)
- The characteristic thickness of the diffuse layer in an electrochemical double layer. Decreases with increasing ion concentration.
- Diffuse Layer
- The outer region of the electric double layer where ion concentration gradually returns to bulk values.
- Dielectric
- An insulating material that can be polarized by an electric field. Water is a dielectric with high permittivity (εr ≈ 80).
- Double Layer
- See Electric Double Layer (EDL).
E
- EDL (Electric Double Layer)
- The structure formed at an electrode-electrolyte interface, consisting of a compact layer of ions and a diffuse layer extending into solution.
- EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy)
- A technique for characterizing electrochemical systems by measuring impedance across a range of frequencies.
- ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance)
- The resistive component of a capacitor's impedance, causing power dissipation.
F
- Faradaic Reaction
- An electrochemical reaction involving electron transfer at an electrode, such as water electrolysis.
- Ferrite
- A ceramic magnetic material used for inductor cores, suitable for high-frequency applications.
- Frequency (f)
- The number of complete oscillation cycles per second. Measured in Hertz (Hz).
G-H
- Helmholtz Layer
- The compact inner layer of the EDL, where ions are closest to the electrode surface.
- Hysteresis
- Energy loss in magnetic materials due to the lag between applied field and magnetization.
I
- Impedance (Z)
- The total opposition to alternating current, including both resistance and reactance. Measured in Ohms (Ω).
- Inductance (L)
- The property of a conductor that opposes changes in current by storing energy in a magnetic field. Measured in Henries (H).
- IHP (Inner Helmholtz Plane)
- The plane passing through the centers of specifically adsorbed ions in the EDL.
L-M
- LC Circuit
- A circuit containing an inductor and capacitor, capable of oscillating at a resonant frequency.
- Mutual Inductance (M)
- The inductance linking two coils, allowing energy transfer between them.
N-O
- Nyquist Plot
- A plot of imaginary vs. real impedance (-Z'' vs Z') used in EIS analysis.
- OHP (Outer Helmholtz Plane)
- The plane of closest approach for solvated (hydrated) ions in the EDL.
P
- Parasitic Capacitance
- Unintended capacitance in an inductor, arising from turn-to-turn and layer-to-layer effects.
- Permittivity (ε)
- A measure of how much electric field is reduced in a material compared to vacuum. ε = ε₀εr.
- Permeability (μ)
- A measure of how well a material supports magnetic field formation. μ = μ₀μr.
- PLL (Phase-Locked Loop)
- A control system that maintains frequency lock with a reference signal, used to track resonance.
Q
- Q Factor (Quality Factor)
- A dimensionless parameter indicating the "sharpness" of resonance. Q = ωL/R = Z₀/R. Higher Q means narrower bandwidth and higher voltage magnification.
R
- Randles Circuit
- An equivalent circuit model for electrochemical cells consisting of Rs, Cdl, Rct, and ZW.
- Reactance
- The imaginary part of impedance. Inductive reactance XL = ωL; capacitive reactance XC = 1/(ωC).
- Resonance
- The condition where inductive and capacitive reactances are equal, resulting in maximum energy storage and voltage magnification.
- Ringdown
- The decay of oscillations after excitation stops, characterized by the time constant τ = 2L/R.
S
- Self-Resonant Frequency (SRF)
- The frequency at which an inductor's parasitic capacitance resonates with its inductance. Above SRF, the inductor behaves as a capacitor.
- Skin Effect
- The tendency of AC current to flow near the surface of a conductor, increasing effective resistance at high frequencies.
- Solution Resistance (Rs)
- The ionic resistance of the electrolyte between electrodes.
- Step Charging
- A technique using multiple resonant pulses to progressively build voltage on a capacitor.
- Stern Layer
- The combined compact and diffuse layer model of the EDL.
T
- Tank Circuit
- A parallel LC circuit that "tanks" or stores energy, oscillating between magnetic and electric forms.
- Tau (τ) - Time Constant
- The characteristic time for decay. For an RLC circuit: τ = 2L/R.
- Toroidal Core
- A doughnut-shaped magnetic core providing a closed magnetic path and good field containment.
V
- VIC (Voltage Intensifier Circuit)
- A resonant circuit configuration using chokes and capacitors to develop high voltage across a water fuel cell.
- Voltage Magnification
- The ratio of voltage across a reactive element to the source voltage at resonance. Equals Q for a series RLC circuit.
W
- Warburg Impedance (ZW)
- Impedance arising from diffusion of electroactive species, characterized by 45° phase angle and Z ∝ 1/√ω.
- WFC (Water Fuel Cell)
- An electrochemical cell where water serves as the medium between electrodes, acting as a capacitive-resistive load in VIC circuits.
Z
- Z₀ (Characteristic Impedance)
- The natural impedance level of an LC circuit: Z₀ = √(L/C). Also Q × R for a series RLC circuit.
- Zero-Current Switching (ZCS)
- A switching technique where transistors turn off when current is zero, minimizing switching losses.
Glossary compiled for the VIC Matrix educational series.