The evolution of high permittivity multilayer capacitors

Abstract

The history of multilayer capacitors with high permittivity dielectrics, in which electrodes and ceramic are in monolithic form, is sketched. Today units with relative permittivities exceeding 15,000 are feasible, though this is accompanied by large variations with temperature and voltage. Much more stable dielectrics with relative permittivities of 3000 are available and some of these can survive use under static potentials up to 150°C. The use of precious metals, including silver, for electrodes can be avoided either by the injection of molten metal into preformed cavities, or by a combination of nickel with dielectrics designed to yield high resistviity bodies after sintering in reducing atmospheres.