Charge-voltage relation for a universal capacitor

Abstract: Most capacitors do not satisfy the conventional assumption of a constant capacitance. They exhibit memory which is often described by a time-varying capacitance. It is shown that the classical relation, $Q\left(t\right)=CV\left(t\right)$, that relates the charge, $Q$, with the capacitance, $C$, and the voltage, $V$, is not applicable for capacitors with a time-varying capacitance. The expression for the current, $dQ/dt$, that is subsequently obtained following the substitution of $C$ by $C\left(t\right)$ in the classical relation corresponds to an inconsistent circuit. In order to address the inconsistency, I propose a charge-voltage relation according to which the charge on a capacitor is expressed by the convolution of its time-varying capacitance with the first-order time-derivative of the applied voltage, i.e., $Q\left(t\right)=C\left(t\right)\ast dV/dt$. This relation corresponds to the universal capacitor which is also known as the fractional capacitor among the fractional calculus community. Since the fractional capacitor has an inherent connection with the universal dielectric response that is expressed by the century old Curie-von Schweidler law, the finding extends to the study of dielectrics as well.