New thin-film chip capacitors for medical RF signal and power applications

AVX has released a new series of thin-film chip capacitors specifically designed to meet the demanding performance specifications for implantable medical devices. Delivering extremely tight capacitive tolerances, exceptionally repeatable performance, and remarkably low ESR and high Q at high frequencies - including VHF, UHF, and RF bands - the capacitors also exhibit high stability with respect to temperature, time, frequency, and voltage variation. Based on well-established thin-film technology and materials, and subjected to on-line process control procedures, in addition to accelerated life, damp, and heat testing and final quality inspections for capacitance, proof voltage, IR and breakdown voltage distribution, temperature coefficient, solderability, and dimensional, mechanical, and temperature stability, Accu-P MP Series capacitors are ideal for use in medical RF signal and power applications that require extremely high accuracy, such as embedded medical systems and implantable medical devices, says the company. “Two of the most important design goals for RF power application engineers, and especially those involved in the development of demanding medical devices, are minimizing heat generation and effectively dissipating heat,” said Brian Brunette, high-reliability tantalum applications engineer, AVX. “As such, our new Accu-P MP Series medical grade thin film chip capacitors were designed to minimize ESR and, in turn, RF heating. The series also provides RF power design engineers with increased power dissipation via high thermal conductivity and high reliability backed by several quality control processes.” Accu-P MP Series medical grade capacitors are currently available in three standard case sizes (0201, 0402, and 0603), five rated voltages (10V, 16V, 25V, 50V, and 100V), two dielectric temperature coefficients (0±30ppm/C and 0±60ppm/C), and with capacitive tolerances spanning ±0.01pF to ±5%. Rated for use in operating temperatures spanning -55C to +125C, the series is also available with tin/lead (Sn/Pb) terminations or RoHS compliant and lead-free compatible 100% tin terminations. Designed for soldering onto flexible or alumina circuit boards, Accu-P MP Series capacitors can withstand the time and temperature profiles used in both wave and reflow soldering methods.