The use of niobium in capacitor applications

Capacitors are an important component of every electronic device. Over the last 10 years, as electronic circuitry has become more and more complicated, capacitors have grown from 3 per active device (IC) to 6 parts per active device. Niobium oxide has been used in the manufacture of ceramic capacitors, and lead relaxors for many years. More recently, advances in the manufacture of valve metal quality niobium has allowed for the successful manufacture of niobium based “solid” electrolytic capacitors. This paper discusses the application and importance of Nb2O5 addition to dielectric formulations used in the manufacture of ceramic capacitors as well as recent advances in the use of niobium in valve metals capacitors. (AU)