Dissipative split-charge formalism: Ohm's law, Nyquist noise, and non-contact friction.

Abstract

The split-charge equilibration method is extended to describe dissipative charge transfer similarly as the Drude model, whereby the complex-valued frequency-dependent dielectric permittivities or conductivities of dielectrics and metals can be mimicked at non-zero frequencies. To demonstrate its feasibility, a resistor-capacitor circuit is simulated using an all-atom representation for the resistor and capacitor. The dynamics reproduce the expected charging process and Nyquist noise, the latter resulting from the thermal voltages acting on individual split charges. The method bears promise to model friction caused by the motion of charged particles past metallic or highly polarizable media.