Finite-element simulation of coupled characteristics of ceramic multilayer capacitors under transient electrical loading

Simulation methods are more and more employed to investigate characteristics and behavior of complex electronic devices. The results can be used to obtain reliability data and reasons for failures and to investigate possibilities for device optimizations. One challenge in these simulations is the consideration of coupled and nonlinear material characteristics, e.g. the piezoelectric coupling in BaTiO₃ based capacitor materials. In our work we present the modeling of the nonlinear coupled behavior of a ceramic multilayer capacitor (MLC) as model for other multilayer structures under transient large signal operating conditions. The electrical, mechanical, and thermal stress distribution are identified for the highest occurring voltage when the MLC is used as a bypass capacitor in an under damped circuit