tantalum capacitor

(electricity) An electrolytic capacitor in which the anode is some form of tantalum; examples include solid tantalum, tantalum-foil electrolytic, and tantalum-slug electrolytic capacitors.

A capacitor made out of the precious metal tantalum. The silver-gray tantalum beads, in the form of compacted powder, can store a lot of charge relative to their mass. This enables smaller capacitors to be built, helping to reduce the size of mobile phones. See capacitor.

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Electrolytic capacitor having a tantalum foil anode. Able to have a large capacity in a small package.