Article | REF: E1925 V2

General characteristics of condensators – Ceramic capacitors

Author: Henri LAVILLE

Publication date: November 10, 2018

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ABSTRACT

This article concerns ceramic capacitors, passive components used in every domain of electronics. Their electrical performance and properties depend on their manufacturing technology and on the nature of their dielectric and metal materials. Choice of capacitor type depends on the desired application. It must take into account the value of the desired capacitance and the behavior of the dielectric according to the conditions of use. Implementation and bonding technologies together with reliability and cost constraints are other choice factors to consider.

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AUTHOR

  • Henri LAVILLE: Research and Technology Manager - Exxelia, GBU Capacitors, Chanteloup-en-Brie, France

 INTRODUCTION

Capacitors are passive components used in all areas of electronics: telecommunications, computing, automotive, space, consumer, etc. They store a transient electrical charge between two electrodes separated by an insulating material called a dielectric. They store a transient electrical charge between two electrodes separated by an insulating material called a dielectric. Their electrical performance depends on the nature of the dielectric and the electrode-insulator-electrode structure. Excluding emerging technologies, these considerations enable us to classify them into three main families:

  • ceramic capacitors,

  • electrochemical capacitors,

  • film capacitors.

The choice of capacitor type depends on the constraints imposed by the intended application: not only is the value of the capacitance required taken into account, but also the behavior of the dielectric as a function of temperature, frequency, amplitude of the signal to be processed, bias voltage, climatic constraints, etc. Finally, implementation and transfer technologies, as well as reliability and cost constraints, must be considered. Last but not least, implementation and transfer technologies, as well as reliability and cost constraints, also need to be taken into account.

The technological evolution of capacitors is linked to the twin demands of miniaturization and lower costs. In telecommunications and consumer applications, this trend has led to the exclusive use of surface-mounting techniques for components on printed circuit boards. As a result, capacitors designed for mass-market electronic circuits, which cannot keep up with this trend for economic or technical reasons, have disappeared or are about to disappear, while new technologies ("silicon" capacitors, for example) are being developed.

Furthermore, the trend in electronics towards greater miniaturization means that there is a constant demand for ever-smaller components. As a result, these components naturally require higher volumetric heating. Current trends in professional power electronics for aeronautics, space, petroleum research and others, accentuate the need for capacitors capable of operating at high temperatures, which could be between 150 and 200°C, or even higher. In the face of such constraints, new specific, high-performance and reliable materials and technological approaches are emerging.

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KEYWORDS

ceramic   |   technology   |   dielectric   |   capacitor


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General characteristics of capacitors – Ceramic capacitors