Quantum inductance and negative electrochemical capacitance at finite frequency

Abstract

We report on theoretical investigations of frequency dependent quantum capacitance. It is found that at finite frequency a quantum capacitor can be characterized by a classical RLC circuit with three parameters: a static electrochemical capacitance, a charge relaxation resistance, and a quantum inductance. The quantum inductance is proportional to the characteristic time scale of electron dynamics and due to its existence, the time dependent current can accumulate a phase delay and becomes lagging behind the applied ac voltage, leading to a negative effective capacitance.