Optimal shape of a variable condenser

Anvar Kacimov*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The shape of a condenser of maximal cross-sectional area at a given capacity is derived in an analytical explicit form. Optimization is performed in the class of practically arbitrary curves by solution of the Dirichlet boundary-value problem for a complex coordinate and expansions of the Cauchy integral kernels in Chebyshev polynomials. The criterion (area) becomes a quadratic form of the Fourier coefficients and both the necessary and sufficient extremum conditions are rigorously satisfied such that a global and unique extremum is achieved. The resulting curve coincides with the Polubarinova-Kochina contour of a concrete dam of constant hydraulic gradient, which in its own term coincides with the Taylor-Saffman bubble. In the limit of high capacitance, the Polubarinova-Kochina contour tends to the Saffman-Taylor finger, which in its own turn coincides with the Morse-Feshbach condenser contour of constant field intensity. Thus the contour found is of a minimal breakdown danger in the dielectric between charged surfaces (non-isoperimetric optimum) and of maximal confined area (isoperimetric extremum).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)485-494
Number of pages10
JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Volume457
Issue number2006
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 8 2001

Keywords

  • Dirichlet's boundary-value problem
  • Global extremum
  • Laplace's equation
  • Optimization
  • Shaping

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Mathematics
  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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