Murata Unveils the World’s Tiniest MLCC

Murata has introduced what it claims is the world’s smallest and thinnest 1µF multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) for automotive use.

These capacitors, which boast a reversed termination for low Equivalent Series Inductance (ESL), come in a super slim 0.18mm profile. Their footprint is just 0.5mm by 1.0mm, which Murata says makes them the tiniest on the market for this capacitance.

Murata has used its unique thin-layer forming, high-precision lamination technology, along with material atomization and homogenization techniques, to cut the component height by about 20% compared to existing parts. This means these capacitors can be more easily fitted on the back of circuit boards, even around solder ball terminations, optimizing their placement for decoupling processor power rails, close to the die.

This design allows for the use of fewer capacitors, which helps lower costs and boost system reliability. In addition, their low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) and reduced ESL decrease the high-frequency impedance, enhancing circuit performance for modern, low-voltage, compute-intensive applications like advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

These automotive-grade capacitors meet AEC-Q200 standards, having passed rigorous tests including 1000 temperature cycles and endurance testing at +85°C with 80 to 85% humidity for 1000 hours.