Dielectric loss

Conversion of electrical energy into heat in a dielectric driven by an electric field. In the stated harmonic convention, a passive scalar response has ${ϵ}^{\prime \prime }\ge 0$ for positive angular frequency. A dielectric capacitance measurement measures a dissipative component as well as capacitance; leakage from electrical conductivity can contribute to the inferred loss.

For a capacitor represented by ideal capacitance $C$ and series electrical resistance $R_s$, the complex impedance is $R_s-i/(\omega C)$. The ratio of its dissipative part to the magnitude of its reactive part is $\tan \delta =\omega C{R}_s$. This dimensionless ratio characterizes loss at a specified frequency; equivalent parallel parameters generally differ from the series parameters.