Mechanistic interpretation of the transcapacitance element

A simple gedanken experiment involving a two-parameter nonlinear capacitance is described. Careful tabulation of the chronology of states clearly demonstrates the apparent violation of both charge and energy conservation in a cycle of simulation. A mechanistic model of a capacitor controlled by two voltages is then devised; the local voltage drives the capacitor current as usual, while the remote voltage affects the capacitance by controlling the insertion of a dielectric between the plates. Now the tabulation of the states during the cycle exposes the energy loss mechanism, as well as accounting for all the charges transferred. Finally it is shown how the introduction of transcapacitance resolves the charge conservation issue, but leaves the energy imbalance unexplained. It is demonstrated that different choices of transcapacitance, each consistent with charge conservation, can result in different dissipative rates