Tantalum capacitor connected in reverse for energy storage

What is a tantalum capacitor used for?

Two primary functions that tantalum capacitors are ideally suited for are bulk energy storage and waveform filtering. In addition to maximum working voltage and voltage derating, an important characteristic of any capacitor is its ability to store an electrical charge. Some applications require the capacitor to store large amounts of charge.

Can a tantalum capacitor survive in vacuum?

If water is fully removed the tantalum capacitor survived in vacuum for much longer periods of time, and at higher temperatures than were expected. Capacitors would recover to lower currents when temperatures were lowered. When dry, the capacitors could be used at temperatures at least as high as 55C without affecting the life of the capacitors.

Are solid tantalum capacitors polarized?

1. Introduction 1.1. Background. Solid tantalum capacitors are polarized devices designed to operate only under forward voltage bias conditions.Application of reverse voltage may produce high leakage currents with potentially destructive results.

Can solid tantalum capacitors survive reverse bias?

These experimentssuggested that while solid tantalum capacitors can survive substantial reverse bias without failure, this behaviorsignificantly varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Solid tantalum capacitors have been widely used in electronics, including military and aerospace applications, formore than 20 years.

What is a characteristic feature of reverse currents in tantalum capacitors?

As it was shown in our experiments, a characteristic feature of reverse currents in tantalum capacitors is gradualincrease with time (for several hours) following a relatively short period of current decrease.

What is the threshold voltage of a tantalum capacitor?

Depending onthe type of capacitor this threshold voltage is probably between 15% and 25% of the rated voltages. The probability of hard failures in tantalum capacitors, which are installed in a reverse bias orientation ona board, depends on application and, in particular, on the level of limiting current in the circuit.