Finite-element analysis of ceramic multilayer capacitors: Modeling and electrical impedance spectroscopy for a nondestructive failure test

The opportunities are introduced to calculate the electrical, mechanical, a nd thermal couplings of ceramic multilayer capacitors (MLCs) with the finit e-element method. The results may lead to improvements in the production, i ntegration, and operation of MLCs. In this paper, a comparison is given of calculations and measurements of electrochemical resonances in the impedanc e spectra of MLCs. The simulation of defective capacitors with three differ ent types of assumed faults reveals the changes in the impedance spectra du e to these defects. This allows the prediction of flaws in MLCs based on me asurement of the impedance spectra.