Effects of electrical charging on the mechanical Q of a fused silica disk

TL;DR

This study investigates how electrical charge affects the mechanical quality factor (Q) of fused silica disks, finding that surface charge can degrade Q likely due to dust-induced rubbing friction.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence linking surface charge to Q degradation and suggests dust friction as the primary damping mechanism.

Findings

Charge on the surface correlates with Q degradation.

Dust attracted by charge causes rubbing friction.

Rubbing friction explains the observed loss mechanism.

Abstract

We report on the effects of an electrical charge on mechanical loss of a fused silica disk. A degradation of Q was seen that correlated with charge on the surface of the sample. We examine a number of models for charge damping, including eddy current damping and loss due to polarization. We conclude that rubbing friction between the sample and a piece of dust attracted by the charged sample is the most likely explanation for the observed loss.