Welcome to the only place in the world where you can purchase discrete thin-film ferroelectric capacitors. These devices are truly unique and represent a new category of commercial electronic components. Integrated ferroelectric capacitors are already making an impact as FeRAMs, IC memories made with ferroelectric capacitors. FeRAMs act like SRAMs but are non-volatile like Flash or EEPROM. They are manufactured by a growing list of companies, now including Ramtron, Fujitsu, Matsushita, Texas Instruments, and IBM. Newly available FeRAM-only microprocessors, including the ubiquitous MSP430 from Texas Instruments and the Ramtron VRS51 series, eliminate all other forms of memory on the die, significantly reducing complexity and total system cost. Serial and parallel interface FeRAMs are now used in counters, games, and the new smart utility meters. FeRAMs are particularly suited for RFID systems because their non-volatility requires far less power than other forms of non-volatile memory.
To be useful, ferroelectric capacitors do not need the supporting circuitry found inside an FeRAM. The memory effect of ferroelectric materials used in FeRAMs results from distortions programmed into the very crystalline structure of the dielectric material of each capacitor and this is true at any scale. This memory effect makes them act as non-linear capacitors and gives them sensitivity to environmental stimuli. The capacitors Radiant offers on these pages are discrete capacitors that may be wired into hand-built circuits for experimentation or soldered into product boards. Additionally, ferroelectric capacitors using PZT are insensitive to environmental contaminants like sodium and phosporus that plague traditional IC technology. In other words, you can handle them without worry. Also note that the lead in the lattice of PZT is locked in and does not pose a toxicity risk. It takes high temperatures, on the order of 900°C, for the lead to leave the lattice. Because of this fact, PZT has been approved for decades for use inside the human body. Pacemakers, which now use MEMs accelerometers to detect the activity level of the host in order to determine the appropriate heart rate, originally used PZT accelerometers for the same purpose.
Explore the links below to see capacitors, sensors, memories, and supporting accessories we offer. The Introduction to Ferroelectric Capacitors page is the best place to start for those new to the technology. Note that all of the components listed on this site are intended for use in experimental circuits. Please contact Radiant Technologies if you plan to qualify any of these discrete devices for commercial products.
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