The term pinhole embraces a wide variety of oxide defects and is
used in a broad sense today. Listed in this category are cracks
caused by thermal contraction after oxidation or by handling, and
regions of oxide with low dielectric strength caused by dust
particles, inadequate masking, contamination, or poor resist
adhesion.
Pitting
A form of very localized corrosion wherein small pits or holes
form, usually in a vertical direction.
Pixel
Picture Element -- smallest element of an image, such as a dot on
a computer monitor screen.
pK value
A measure of the strength of an acid on a logarithmic scale. The
pK value is given by log10 (1/Ka), where Ka is the acid
dissociation constant pK values often are used to compare the
strengths of different acids.
Plastic deformation
Permanent or nonrecoverable deformation, accompanied by permanent
atomic displacement.
Plasticizer
A low molecular weight polymer additive that enhances flexibility
and workability and reduces stiffness and brittleness.
Point defect
A crystalline defect associated with one or several atomic sites.
Poisson's ratio (ν)
For elastic deformation, the negative ratio of lateral and axial
strains that result from an applied axial stress.
Polarization (P)
The total electric dipole moment per unit volume of dielectric
material.
Polyclonal antibodies
Antibodies produced by an animal's white blood cells (lymphocytes,
specifically) in response to an antigen. This response occurs
naturally or can purposely be created by injecting an animal, such
as a rabbit or goat, with a specific antigen. More than one kind
of anti-body is produced since more than one lymphocyte is
producing antibodies. This is referred to as"polyclonal". The
polyclonal antibodies are isolated from the animal and can be used
for detection purposes. Because the antibodies are actually a
mixture with different affinities (binding capability) for the
antigen of interest, some variability in performance can occur
from one test to another or one batch of antibodies to another.
