Exactly what type of capacitor does "solid state" refer to?

[lauxenburg]

This is a straightforward question, I believe.

You hear a lot about boards having/not having 100% solid state capacitors on board.

My question is...What type of capacitor does "solid state" refer to? Electrolytic? Tantalum? Polystyrene? Ceramic?


I suppose not all of you would know the answer to this. Possibly those more into the electronics spectrum.

Thanks.

 

[saint19]

Hi.

The solid capacitor refers to Tantalum.

 

[lauxenburg]

Thank you very much for your answer. =)

 

[saint19]

Any time, that's why we are here.

 

[ko888]

Not tantalum oxide but solid polymer capacitors.

http://www.chemi-con.com/files/PSA.pdf

 

[lauxenburg]

Not tantalum oxide but solid polymer capacitors.

http://www.chemi-con.com/files/PSA.pdf

I never got back to telling him that he was actually wrong. Polymer Aluminum Capacitors are actually solid state. Tantalum is for really high voltages

 

[Zart]

Actually most (except wet electrolytic) capacitors is solid-state. But when it used in context of motherboards/power supplies it means only "Polymer electrolytic", to emphasize difference from liquid electrolytic. Polymer capacitors have lower ESR and can handle higher ripple current, and ESR not grows on high temperatures. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_capacitor.
"Solid state capacitor" is marketing, not technical term.