Samsung Electro-Mechanics Develops World's Highest Capacity MLCC for 5G Smartphones

[Asia Economy Reporter Su-yeon Woo] Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 29th that it has developed the world's highest capacity ultra-small multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC). The newly developed MLCC can store 27uF (microfarads) of electricity in a 1005 size (1.0mm width, 0.5mm length), achieving the world's highest capacity.

The 1005 size, along with the 0603 size, is currently the most widely used MLCC in smartphones. The maximum capacity of the existing 1005 size MLCC was 22uF, but through this development, Samsung Electro-Mechanics has created the industry's highest capacity MLCC. This product will be supplied to global smartphone companies starting next month.

Recently, with the multifunctionalization and high performance of IT devices such as 5G communication, multi-cameras, and flexible displays, components installed inside are also required to be ultra-small in size and high in performance. In particular, high-performance semiconductors such as application processors (AP) and graphics processing units (GPU) have high power consumption, making high-capacity MLCCs that can store a large amount of electrical energy essential.

The newly developed MLCC reduces signal noise entering high-performance semiconductors such as smartphone APs and GPUs, allowing the semiconductors to operate stably. Samsung Electro-Mechanics differentiated key raw materials and manufacturing processes to implement 27uF, which is 20% higher capacity than the existing 22uF in the same size.

1005 Size MLCC / Photo by Samsung Electro-Mechanics

To increase the electrical storage capacity of MLCCs, more dielectric layers and internal electrode layers must be stacked. Samsung Electro-Mechanics developed 50nm powder, the smallest size among raw material powders used in the MLCC industry, and made the dielectric layers thinner than before. Through this, more than 150 additional dielectric layers were stacked compared to existing products to increase storage capacity.

Ultra-precision printing technology was applied to create nano-sized fine powder into uniform thin layers. The DC bias characteristic (the characteristic where the product's capacity decreases when DC voltage is applied) was also implemented at the industry's highest level, greatly improving the lifespan and operational stability of smartphones.

Kim Doo-young, Vice President and Head of the Component Business Division at Samsung Electro-Mechanics, said, "With the commercialization of 5G mobile communication, the high performance of smartphones, and the electrification of automobiles, demand for ultra-small, high-performance, and highly reliable MLCCs is increasing significantly. Samsung Electro-Mechanics will maintain a leading position in the market through super-gap technology and strengthened production capabilities, contributing to our customers' success."