SILICON CAPACITORS SPACE Pre-Evaluation

Motivation

It is believed that the recent improvement in silicon capacitor technology might provide very interesting advantages such as stable capacitance value over the operating temperature range (up to 200C-250C) or small dimensions. In addition, these new types of silicon capacitors might be used in different kind of application (DC/DC converter, power decoupling, RF application, etc.) with quite low voltage.

Silicon capacitor might replace advantageously, due to relatively small height, Ceramic capacitor type I (low capacitance value), and even ceramic capacitors type II (low voltage application, i.e. close to Integrated circuit). GaN application which requires high-temperature components would also benefit a high temperature (200C-250C) silicon capacitor range. However, relevant data demonstrating the high reliability, claimed by Silicon capacitor manufacturers shall be provided to confirm parts suitability for space application.

Alter Technology Strategy on Extreme Temperatures

New space missions include more extreme requirements of storage and operating temperatures and vacuum conditions exceeding standard -55ºC / +125ºC conditions Miniaturization implies increase higher power dissipation and hence max junction and PCB temperatures.

Alter Technology Activities

• Parts reliability assessment to ensure mission performance
• Characterization of existing technologies under such extreme temperature conditions
• Understanding of failure mechanism
• Development of specific NEW parts for very extreme application
• Assessment of new packages and assembly methods