M39003/09-2001/TR

Tantalum Capacitors - M39003/09-2001/TR Application Field and Working Principle

Tantalum capacitors, or tantalum electrolytic capacitors, are a type of electrolytic capacitor, that use the oxide of the metal tantalum as its dielectric. They are widely used in audio-frequency circuits like radios, television sets and mobile phones. They have a higher capacitance density compared to other types of electrolytic capacitors. This makes them ideal for applications where space is limited.

The M39003/09-2001/TR specification is a military standard based on a tantalum capacitor construction. It defines the requirements and parameters for snubber capacitors using tantalum anodes with solid electrolyte. The capacitors are typically manufactured in cylindrical form with a plastic case and either radial or axial leads.

Application Field

Tantalum capacitors are widely used in day-to-day modern electronics due to their low cost and small size. They are commonly used for decoupling and filtering capacitor applications, as well as in power supplies, DC-DC converters, automotive electronics, and a wide range of other electronic circuits. The M39003/09-2001/TR specification covers several applications such as snubbers, energy discharge capacitors, high-voltage, and solid tantalum MLCCs.

Working Principle

The working principle of a tantalum capacitor is based on the charge storage on the tantalum oxide layer. When an electric field is applied, positive ions move into the oxide layer and negative ions move out. The opposing charges create an electric field which in turn creates a capacitance (charge separation). By varying the oxide layer thickness and area, different types of capacitance can be achieved.

The construction of the tantalum capacitor is such that the majority of the electrical field in the dielectric is caused by the electric field created by the electric charge stored in the tantalum oxide layer, rather than the electric field generated by the leads. This leads to very good equivalent series resistance (ESR) values, making this type of capacitor a good choice for energy storage applications.

The M39003/09-2001/TR specification describes the construction requirements for a number of different types of tantalum capacitors, including radial and axial devices, as well as axial and radial leaded capacitors. The specification defines the electro-static discharge requirements, capacitance, equivalent series inductance, equivalent series resistance, and other electrical parameters.

Conclusion

Tantalum capacitors are widely used in modern electronic circuits, due to their high capacitance density and small size, which makes them well-suited for space-constrained applications. The M39003/09-2001/TR specification covers the requirements and parameters for snubber capacitors using tantalum anodes with solid electrolyte. The construction of the tantalum capacitor is such that the electric field in the dielectric is caused by the electric charge stored in the tantalum oxide layer, rather than the electric field generated by the leads, which creates very good equivalent series resistance (ESR) values.