MULTILAYER CERAMIC CAPACITOR

Abstract

A plurality of dielectric layers containing one of CaZrO.sub.3 and SrZrO.sub.3 and a plurality of internal electrodes containing Ni are alternately disposed in a second direction. The plurality of internal electrodes includes a plurality of first internal electrodes and a plurality of second internal electrodes. Each of first connecting portions of the first internal electrodes includes a first end portion connected to a first terminal electrode. Each of second connecting portions of the second internal electrodes includes a second end portion connected to a second terminal electrode. The first end portions of the first connecting portions adjacent to each other in the second direction are located not to overlap with each other when viewed from the second direction. The second end portions of the second connecting portions adjacent to each other in the second direction are located not to overlap with each other when viewed from the second direction.

Claims

1. A multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising: an element body having a first end surface and a second end surface that oppose each other in a first direction; a first terminal electrode disposed on the first end surface of the element body; and a second terminal electrode disposed on the second end surface of the element body, wherein the element body includes a plurality of dielectric layers containing one of CaZrO.sub.3 and SrZrO.sub.3 as a main component and a plurality of internal electrodes containing Ni as a main component, being alternately disposed in a second direction, the plurality of internal electrodes includes a plurality of first internal electrodes connected to the first terminal electrode and a plurality of second internal electrodes connected to the second terminal electrode, each of the first internal electrodes includes a first main electrode portion, and a first connecting portion configured to connect the first main electrode portion with the first terminal electrode and including a first end portion connected with the first terminal electrode, each of the second internal electrodes includes a second main electrode portion, and a second connecting portion configured to connect the second main electrode portion with the second terminal electrode and including a second end portion connected with the second terminal electrode, the first end portions of the first connecting portions adjacent to each other in the second direction are located not to overlap with each other when viewed from the second direction, and the second end portions of the second connecting portions adjacent to each other in the second direction are located not to overlap with each other when viewed from the second direction.

2. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the first end portions of the first connecting portions adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, spacing of the first end portions separated from each other in the third direction is 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as a width of the first main electrode portion in the third direction, the second end portions of the second connecting portions adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other in the third direction, and spacing of the second end portions separated from each other in the third direction is 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as a width of the second main electrode portion in the third direction.

3. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the dielectric layer to a thickness of the internal electrode is 1.5 or more.

4. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a surface roughness of the element body is 3.0 to 6.0 μm.

5. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting portion includes a first narrow portion connected to the first terminal electrode and having a width narrower than a width of the first main electrode portion, and a first wide portion configured to connect the first narrow portion with the first main electrode portion and having a width greater than the width of the first narrow portion, the second connecting portion includes a second narrow portion connected to the second terminal electrode and having a width narrower than a width of the second main electrode portion, and a second wide portion configured to connect the second narrow portion with the second electrode portion and having a width greater than the width of the second narrow portion, when viewed from the second direction, the first wide portion is located between a first region in which the first main electrode portion and the second main electrode portion overlap with each other and a second region in which the first narrow portion is arranged, and when viewed from the second direction, the second wide portion is located between the first region and a third region in which the second narrow portion is arranged.

6. The multilayer ceramic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the first main electrode portion includes a third wide portion having a width greater than a width of the first connecting portion, and a third narrow portion configured to connect the third wide portion with the first connecting portion and having a width narrower than the width of the third wide portion, the second main electrode portion includes a fourth wide portion having a width greater than a width of the second connecting portion and a fourth narrow portion configured to connect the fourth wide portion with the second connecting portion and having a width narrower than the width of the fourth wide portion, the width of the third narrow portion is narrower than the width of the fourth wide portion, and the width of the fourth narrow portion is narrower than the width of the third wide portion, the third narrow portion overlaps with the fourth wide portion when viewed from the second direction, and the fourth narrow portion overlaps with the third wide portion when viewed from the second direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a first embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0021] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are plan views each illustrating an internal electrode;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the internal electrode illustrated in FIG. 4A and the internal electrode illustrated in FIG. 4C are overlapped with each other;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the internal electrode illustrated in FIG. 4B and the internal electrode illustrated in FIG. 4D are overlapped with each other;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an end surface of an element body;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating an end surface of an element body;

[0026] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are plan views each illustrating an internal electrode included in a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a second embodiment; and

[0027] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are plan views each illustrating an internal electrode included in a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, same reference numerals will be used for same elements or elements having a same function, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

First Embodiment

[0029] First, a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 4A to 4D. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line illustrated in FIG. 1. FIGS. 4A to 4D are plan views each illustrating an internal electrode.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 includes an element body 3 and a pair of terminal electrodes 5 and 6 disposed on the element body 3.

[0031] The element body 3 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape includes a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a chamfered corner portion and a chamfered ridge portion, and includes a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a rounded corner portion and a rounded ridge portion. The element body 3 includes a pair of end surfaces 3a and 3b opposing each other in a Y direction, a pair of principal surfaces 3e and 3f opposing each other in a Z direction, and a pair of side surfaces 3c and 3d opposing each other in an X direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are orthogonal to each other. Each of the end surface 3a and 3b extends in the Z direction and the X direction, respectively, to connect the principal surface 3e with the principal surface 3f. Each of the principal surfaces 3e and 3f extends in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. The side surfaces 3c and 3d extend in the Y direction and the Z direction, respectively, to connect the principal surface 3e with the principal surface 3f.

[0032] Surface roughness of the element body 3 is 3.0 to 6.0 μm, for example. The surface roughness is controlled by changing barrel polishing conditions. The barrel polishing conditions vary by changing abrasive to be used, for example. The surface roughness is a maximum height (Rz), for example. The maximum height (Rz) is defined in JIS B 0601: 2001 (ISO 4287: 1997).

[0033] For example, when the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is mounted on another electronic device (not illustrated) such as a circuit board or an electronic component, the principal surface 3f or the principal surface 3e is a mounting surface opposing the other electronic device. For example, the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 is soldered with the principal surface 3f opposing the other electronic device.

[0034] The element body 3 is configured by stacking a plurality of dielectric layers 4 and a plurality of internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the Z direction. That is, the element body 3 includes the plurality of dielectric layers 4 and the plurality of internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, and 14 stacked in the Z direction. The plurality of dielectric layers 4 and the plurality of internal electrodes 11 to 14 are alternately disposed. A stacking direction of the plurality of dielectric layers 4 and the plurality of internal electrodes 11 to 14 corresponds to the Z direction, that is, the direction in which the principal surface 3e opposes the principal surface 3f. The stacking direction of the plurality of dielectric layers 4 and the plurality of internal electrodes 11 to 14 is the Z direction.

[0035] A ratio (d2/d1) of a thickness d2 of each of the dielectric layers 4 to a thickness d1 of each of the internal electrodes 11 to 14 is 1.5 or more, for example. The thickness d1 is the length of each of the internal electrodes 11 to 14 in the Z direction. The thickness d2 is the length of each of the dielectric layers 4 in the Z direction. The more the thickness d2 is, the smaller the capacitance is. Therefore, the thickness d2 is 1.5 to 20.0 μm, for example. The smaller the thickness d1 is, the greater the equivalent series resistance (ESR) is. Therefore, the thickness d1 is 0.5 to 3.0 μm, for example.

[0036] The main component of each of the plurality of dielectric layers 4 is one of CaZrO.sub.3 and SrZrO.sub.3. The main component indicates a component occupying 90% by weight or more in the entire component. The dielectric layer 4 may be made of one of CaZrO.sub.3 and SrZrO.sub.3, for example. The dielectric layer 4 may contain an unavoidable impurity, for example. The one of CaZrO.sub.3 and SrZrO.sub.3 is a paraelectric material. The plurality of dielectric layers 4 includes a sintered body of a ceramic green sheet containing the above-described paraelectric material. In the actual element body 3, the plurality of dielectric layers 4 is integrated with each other to such a degree that a boundary between each of the dielectric layers 4 can hardly be visually recognized.

[0037] The terminal electrode 5 is disposed on the end surface 3a. The terminal electrode 5 is formed to cover each of portions on the principal surface 3e, the principal surface 3f, the side surface 3c, and the side surface 3d, close to the end surface 3a, and to cover the end surface 3a. The terminal electrode 5 includes an electrode portion 5a located on the entire surface of the end surface 3a, an electrode portion located in the portion on the principal surface 3e close to the end surface 3a, an electrode portion located in the portion on the principal surface 3f close to the end surface 3a, an electrode portion 5c located in the portion on the side surface 3c close to the end surface 3a, and an electrode portion 5b located in the portion on the side surface 3d close to the end surface 3a.

[0038] The terminal electrode 6 is disposed on the end surface 3b. The terminal electrode 6 is formed to cover each of portions on the principal surface 3e, the principal surface 3f, the side surface 3c, and the side surface 3d, close to the end surface 3b, and to cover the end surface 3b. The terminal electrode 6 includes an electrode portion 6a located on the entire surface of the end surface 3b, an electrode portion located in the portion on the principal surface 3e close to the end surface 3b, an electrode portion located in the portion on the principal surface 3f close to the end surface 3b, an electrode portion 6c located in the portion on the side surface 3c close to the end surface 3b, and an electrode portion 6b located in the portion on the side surface 3d close to the end surface 3b.

[0039] Each of the terminal electrodes 5 and 6 includes a sintered layer and a plating layer. The sintered layer is formed by sintering a conductive paste applied to an outer surface of the element body 3, for example. The conductive paste includes a conductive metal powder and a glass frit, for example. The conductive metal for the sintered layer includes Cu and Ni, for example. The sintered layer is a sintered metal layer. The plating layer is formed on the sintered layer by a plating method. The plating layer is made of Ni, Cu, Sn, or Au, for example. The plating layer may contain a plurality of layers. In which case, the plating layer, that is, an outermost layer, is made of Au or Sn, for example. The terminal electrode 5 and the terminal electrode 6 are separated from each other and are electrically insulated from each other on the outer surface of the element body 3. The terminal electrode 5 and the terminal electrode 6 have mutually different polarities.

[0040] The main component of each of the plurality of internal electrodes 11 to 14 is Ni. This main component indicates a component occupying 90% by weight or more in the entire component. The internal electrodes 11 to 14 may be made of Ni, for example. The internal electrodes 11 to 14 may contain an unavoidable impurity, for example. Ni is a conductive material. The plurality of internal electrodes 11 to 14 is configured as a sintered body of a conductive paste containing Ni. The plurality of internal electrodes 11 to 14 includes the plurality of internal electrodes 11 and 13 each connected with the terminal electrode 5, and includes the plurality of internal electrodes 12 and 14 each connected with the terminal electrode 6. In the present embodiment, the number of each of the internal electrodes 11 to 14 is “five”. In the Z direction, the internal electrodes 11 to 14 are arranged with the dielectric layer 4 therebetween, in the order of the internal electrode 11, the internal electrode 12, the internal electrode 13, and the internal electrode 14.

[0041] FIG. 4A illustrates the internal electrode 11. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the internal electrode 11 includes a main electrode portion 11a and a connecting portion 11b. The main electrode portion 11a and the connecting portion 11b are integrally formed. In FIG. 4A, a boundary between the main electrode portion 11a and the connecting portion 11b is indicated by a one-dot chain line. The main electrode portion 11a has a rectangular shape having a short-side in the X direction and a long-side in the Y direction, for example.

[0042] The connecting portion 11b is exposed at the end surface 3a. The connecting portion 11b extends between the main electrode portion 11a and the end surface 3a. The connecting portion 11b is connected with the terminal electrode 5 at the end surface 3a. The connecting portion 11b is located between the main electrode portion 11a and the terminal electrode 5 and connects the main electrode portion 11a with the terminal electrode 5. The connecting portion 11b electrically connects the main electrode portion 11a with the terminal electrode 5. The connecting portion 11b has a rectangular shape having a short-side in the X direction and a long-side in the Y direction, for example. The length of the short-side of the connecting portion 11b is shorter than the length of the short-side of the main electrode portion 11a. In the X direction, the connecting portion 11b is narrower than the main electrode portion 11a.

[0043] FIG. 4B illustrates the internal electrode 12. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the internal electrode 12 includes a main electrode portion 12a and a connecting portion 12b. The main electrode portion 11a and the connecting portion 11b are integrally formed. In FIG. 4B, a boundary between the main electrode portion 12a and the connecting portion 12b is indicated by a one-dot chain line. The main electrode portion 12a has a rectangular shape having a short-side in the X direction and a long-side in the Y direction, for example.

[0044] The connecting portion 12b is exposed at the end surface 3b. The connecting portion 12b extends between the main electrode portion 12a and the end surface 3b. The connecting portion 12b is connected with the terminal electrode 6 at the end surface 3b. The connecting portion 12b is located between the main electrode portion 12a and the terminal electrode 6 and connects the main electrode portion 12a with the terminal electrode 6. The connecting portion 12b electrically connects the main electrode portion 12a with the terminal electrode 6. The connecting portion 12b has a rectangular shape having a short-side in the X direction and a long-side in the Y direction, for example. The length of the short-side of the connecting portion 12b is shorter than the length of the short-side of the main electrode portion 12a. In the X direction, the connecting portion 12b is narrower than the main electrode portion 12a.

[0045] FIG. 4C illustrates the internal electrode 13. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the internal electrode 13 includes a main electrode portion 13a and a connecting portion 13b. The main electrode portion 13a and the connecting portion 13b are integrally formed. In FIG. 4C, a boundary between the main electrode portion 13a and the connecting portion 13b is indicated by a one-dot chain line. The main electrode portion 13a has a rectangular shape having a short-side in the X direction and a long-side in the Y direction, for example.

[0046] The connecting portion 13b is exposed at the end surface 3a. The connecting portion 13b extends between the main electrode portion 13a and the end surface 3a. The connecting portion 13b is connected with the terminal electrode 5 at the end surface 3a. The connecting portion 13b is located between the main electrode portion 13a and the terminal electrode 5 and connects the main electrode portion 13a with the terminal electrode 5. The connecting portion 13b electrically connects the main electrode portion 13a with the terminal electrode 5. The connecting portion 13b has a rectangular shape having a short-side in the X direction and a long-side in the Y direction, for example. The length of the short-side of the connecting portion 13b is shorter than the length of the short-side of the main electrode portion 13a. In the X direction, the connecting portion 13b is narrower than the main electrode portion 13a.

[0047] FIG. 4D illustrates the internal electrode 14. As illustrated in FIG. 4D, the internal electrode 14 includes a main electrode portion 14a and a connecting portion 14b. The main electrode portion 11a and the connecting portion 11b are integrally formed. In FIG. 4D, a boundary between the main electrode portion 14a and the connecting portion 14b is indicated by a one-dot chain line. The main electrode portion 14a has a rectangular shape having a short-side in the X direction and a long-side in the Y direction, for example.

[0048] The connecting portion 14b is exposed at the end surface 3b. The connecting portion 14b extends between the main electrode portion 14a and the end surface 3b. The connecting portion 14b is connected with the terminal electrode 6 at the end surface 3b. The connecting portion 14b is located between the main electrode portion 14a and the terminal electrode 6 and connects the main electrode portion 14a with the terminal electrode 6. The connecting portion 14b electrically connects the main electrode portion 14a with the terminal electrode 6. The connecting portion 14b has a rectangular shape having a short-side in the X direction and a long-side in the Y direction, for example. The length of the short-side of the connecting portion 14b is shorter than the length of the short-side of the main electrode portion 14a. In the X direction, the connecting portion 14b is narrower than the main electrode portion 14a.

[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the main electrode portions 11a to 14a have substantially a same size and overlap with each other, when viewed from the Z direction. The main electrode portions 11a to 14a adjacent to each other in the Z direction oppose each other with the dielectric layer 4 therebetween (refer to FIGS. 2 and 3). A capacitance component is formed in each of a region in which the main electrode portion 11a and the main electrode portion 12a oppose each other, a region in which the main electrode portion 12a and the main electrode portion 13a oppose each other, a region in which the main electrode portion 13a and the main electrode portion 14a oppose each other, and a region in which the main electrode portion 14a and the main electrode portion 11a oppose each other.

[0050] Hereinafter, how the internal electrode 11 and the internal electrode 13 overlaps with each other when viewed from the Z direction and how the internal electrode 12 and the internal electrode 14 overlap with each other when viewed from the Z direction will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the internal electrode 11 and the internal electrode 13 overlap with each other. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the internal electrode 12 and the internal electrode 14 overlap with each other. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the end surface 3a of the element body 3. FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the end surface 3b of the element body 3.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 11a and the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 13a are generally aligned with each other when viewed from the Z direction. Substantially the whole of the main electrode portion 11a overlaps with substantially the whole of the main electrode portion 13a when viewed from the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 11b is generally different from the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 13b. The connecting portion 11b does not overlap with the connecting portion 13b when viewed from the Z direction.

[0052] When viewed from the Z direction, the connecting portion 11b is located closer to the side surface 3c and the connecting portion 13b is located closer to the side surface 3d, between the end surface 3a on which the terminal electrode 5 is disposed and the main electrode portion 11a. The connecting portion 11b includes an end portion 11c connected with the terminal electrode 5. The connecting portion 13b includes an end portion 13c connected with the terminal electrode 5. The end portion 11c and the end portion 13c are exposed at the end surface 3a. The end portion 11c and the end portion 13c are located not to overlap with each other when viewed from the Z direction. That is, the connecting portions 11b and 13b adjacent to each other in the Z direction are located in such a manner that the end portions 11c and 13c do not overlap with each other when viewed from the Z direction.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the end surface 3a is viewed, each of the end portions 11c is arranged in the Z direction at a position closer to the side surface 3c in the X direction, and each of the end portions 13c is arranged in the Z direction at a position closer to the side surface 3d in the X direction. The end portion 11c and the end portion 13c are located at different positions in the Z direction. The end portion 11c and the end portion 13c are alternately arranged in two rows and are separated from each other in the X direction.

[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, a separation distance La.sub.1 between the end portion 11c and the end portion 13c in the X direction is smaller than a width Lb.sub.1 of each of the main electrode portions 11a and 13a in the X direction. The separation distance La.sub.1 is spacing between the end portion 11c and the end portion 13c in the X direction. The width Lb.sub.1 is the length of a short-side of each of the main electrode portions 11a and 13a. For example, the separation distance La.sub.1 is 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as the width Lb.sub.1.

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 12a and the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 14a are generally aligned with each other when viewed from the Z direction. Substantially the whole of the main electrode portion 12a overlaps with substantially the whole of the main electrode portion 14a when viewed from the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 12b is generally different from the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 14b. The connecting portion 12b does not overlap with the connecting portion 14b when viewed from the Z direction.

[0056] When viewed from the Z direction, the connecting portion 12b is located closer to the side surface 3c and the connecting portion 14b is located closer to the side surface 3d, between the end surface 3b on which the terminal electrode 6 is disposed and the main electrode portion 12a. The connecting portion 12b includes an end portion 12c connected with the terminal electrode 6. The connecting portion 14b includes an end portion 14c connected with the terminal electrode 6. The end portion 12c and the end portion 12c are exposed at the end surface 3b. The end portion 12c and the end portion 14c are located not to overlap with each other when viewed from the Z direction. That is, the connecting portions 12b and 14b adjacent to each other in the Z direction are located in such a manner that the end portions 12c and the end portions 14c do not overlap with each other when viewed from the Z direction.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the end surface 3b is viewed, each of the end portions 12c is arranged in the Z direction at a position closer to the side surface 3c in the X direction, and each of the end portions 14c is arranged in the Z direction at a position closer to the side surface 3d in the X direction. The end portion 12c and the end portion 14c are located at different positions in the Z direction. The end portion 12c and the end portion 14c are alternately arranged in two rows and are separated from each other in the X direction.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, a separation distance La.sub.2 in the X direction between the end portion 12c and the end portion 14c is smaller than a width Lb.sub.2 in the X direction of each of the main electrode portions 12a and 14a. The separation distance La.sub.2 is spacing between the end portion 12c and the end portion 14c in the X direction. The width Lb.sub.2 is the length of a short-side of each of the main electrode portions 12a and 14a. For example, the separation distance La.sub.2 is 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as the width Lb.sub.2. In the first embodiment, the separation distance La.sub.1 is equal to the separation distance La.sub.2, and the width Lb.sub.1 is equal to the width Lb.sub.2. The separation distance La.sub.1 and the separation distance La.sub.2 may be different from each other. The width Lb.sub.1 and the width Lb.sub.2 may be different from each other.

[0059] As described above, when the end surface 3a is viewed, the end portions 11c and 13c are alternately arranged in a plurality of rows in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 11b and 13b are dispersed, as compared with a configuration where the end portions 11c and 13c are arranged in a same row. When the end surface 3b is viewed, the end portions 12c and 14c are alternately arranged in a plurality of rows. Therefore, in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1, residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 12b and 14b are dispersed, as compared with a configuration where the end portions 12c and 14c are arranged in a same row. As a result of dispersion of the residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 11b to 14b, the occurrence of a crack attributed to the residual stresses is suppressed in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the separation distance La.sub.1 is 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as the width Lb.sub.1, and the separation distance La.sub.2 is 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as the width Lb.sub.2. Therefore, the residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 11b to 14b are further dispersed. As a result, the occurrence of the crack attributed to the residual stresses is further suppressed in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the ratio (d2/d1) of the thickness d2 to the thickness d1 is 1.5 or more. Therefore, the residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 11b to 14b are further dispersed. As a result, the occurrence of the crack attributed to the residual stresses is further suppressed in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

[0062] In the first embodiment, the surface roughness of the element body 3 is 3.0 to 6.0 μm. Therefore, the residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 11b to 14b are further dispersed. As a result, the occurrence of the crack attributed to the residual stresses is further suppressed in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1.

[0063] The present inventors conducted a test in order to confirm an effect of suppressing the occurrence of the crack. Hereinafter, the test conducted by the present inventors will be described as examples. In the test, the crack occurrence rate in the element body 3 included in the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 was measured. The crack occurrence rate was measured by the following procedure. First, 200 element bodies 3 without the terminal electrodes 5 and 6 were prepared for each of examples, and a pressure cooker test was performed on each of the prepared element bodies 3. Specifically, the element body 3 was left for 300 hours under an environment in which the temperature was 121° C. and the humidity was 95% RH. The appearance of the outer surface of the element body 3 after the pressure cooker test was confirmed by a microscope and the number of element bodies 3 having a crack was counted. The crack occurrence rate is a value representing “the number of element bodies 3 having a crack/200” expressed as a percentage. The present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0064] In Examples 1 to 9, t ratio (La.sub.1/Lb.sub.1) of the separation distance La.sub.1 to the width Lb.sub.1 and a ratio (La.sub.2/Lb.sub.2) of the separation distance La.sub.2 to the width Lb.sub.2 are different from each other within a range of 0.05 to 0.8. The measurement results in Examples 1 to 9 are illustrated in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 CRACK OCCURRENCE EXAMPLE La.sub.1/Lb.sub.1, La.sub.2/Lb.sub.2 RATE (%) 1 0.05 23 2 0.1 15 3 0.2 12 4 0.3 10 5 0.4 11 6 0.5 12 7 0.6 14 8 0.7 21 9 0.8 25

[0065] As illustrated in Table 1, the crack occurrence rate was 25% or less, indicating that the occurrence of the crack is suppressed, in any case of Examples 1 to 9. In the case of Examples 2 to 7, that is, when each of the ratio (La.sub.1/Lb.sub.1) and the ratio (La.sub.2/Lb.sub.2) is in the range of 0.1 to 0.6, the crack occurrence rate is 15% or less, indicating the occurrence of the crack is further suppressed. From the above, it has been confirmed that the occurrence of the crack is further suppressed when the separation distance La.sub.1 is 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as the width Lb.sub.1 and the separation distance La.sub.2 is 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as the width Lb.sub.2.

[0066] In Examples 10 to 17, the ratio (d2/d1) of the thickness d2 to the thickness d1 differs in a range of 1 to 18. The measurement results in Examples 10 to 17 are illustrated in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 CRACK OCCURRENCE EXAMPLE d2/d1 RATE (%) 10 1 15 11 1.5 9 12 3 8 13 6 7 14 9 7 15 12 6 16 15 5 17 18 6

[0067] As illustrated in Table 2, the crack occurrence rate was 15% or less, indicating that the occurrence of the crack is suppressed, in any case of Examples 10 to 17. In the case of Examples 11 to 17, that is, when the ratio (d2/d1) is 1.5 or more, the crack occurrence rate is 9% or less, indicating that the occurrence of the crack is further suppressed. From the above, it was confirmed that the occurrence of the crack is further suppressed when the ratio (d2/d1) is 1.5 or more.

[0068] In Examples 18 to 24, a surface roughness (maximum height) Rz of the element body 3 differs in a range of 1.0 to 7.0 μm. The measurement results in Examples 18 to 24 are illustrated in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 SURFACE CRACK ROUGHNESS OCCURRENCE EXAMPLE Rz (μm) RATE (%) 18 1 15 19 2 8 20 3 1 21 4 0 22 5 0 23 6 0 24 7 5

[0069] As illustrated in Table 3, the crack occurrence rate was 15% or less, indicating that the occurrence of the crack is suppressed, in any case of Examples 18 to 24. In the case of Examples 20 to 23, that is, when the surface roughness Rz is 3.0 to 6.0 μm, the crack occurrence rate is 1% or less, indicating that the occurrence of the crack is further suppressed. From the above, it was confirmed that occurrence of the crack is further suppressed when the surface roughness Rz of the element body 3 is 3.0 to 6.0 μm.

Second Embodiment

[0070] Next, a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Although not illustrated, the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the second embodiment includes the element body 3 and the pair of terminal electrodes 5 and 6, as with the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1. Also in the second embodiment, the element body 3 is configured by stacking the plurality of dielectric layers 4 and the plurality of internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the Z direction.

[0071] FIGS. 9A to 9D are plan views corresponding to FIGS. 4A to 4D, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9D, in the second embodiment, the shapes of the connecting portions 11b to 14b or the internal electrodes 11 to 14 are different from the shapes in the first embodiment. Each of the connecting portions 11b to 14b is not rectangular but has a substantially L shape. In FIGS. 9A to 9D, a boundary between the main electrode portions 11a to 14a and the connecting portions 11b to 14b is indicated by a one-dot chain line. Hereinafter, the width is the length in the X direction.

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the connecting portion 11b includes a narrow portion 11b.sub.1 and a wide portion 11b.sub.2. The narrow portion 11b.sub.1 has a width narrower than the width of the main electrode portion 11a. The wide portion 11b.sub.2 has a width greater than the width of the narrow portion 11b.sub.1. The narrow portion 11b.sub.1 is located between the terminal electrode 5 and the wide portion 11b.sub.2, and connects the terminal electrode 5 with the wide portion 11b.sub.2. The narrow portion 11b.sub.1 electrically connects the terminal electrode 5 with the wide portion 11b.sub.2. The narrow portion 11b.sub.1 includes the end portion 11c. The narrow portion 11b.sub.1 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the narrow portion 11b.sub.1 is half of the width of the main electrode portion 11a, or less, for example. The wide portion 11b.sub.2 is located between the narrow portion 11b.sub.1 and the main electrode portion 11a, and connects the narrow portion 11b.sub.1 with the main electrode portion 11a. The wide portion 11b.sub.2 electrically connects the narrow portion 11b.sub.1 with the main electrode portion 11a. The wide portion 11b.sub.2 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the wide portion 11b.sub.2 is, for example, the same as the width of the main electrode portion 11a.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the connecting portion 12b includes a narrow portion 12b.sub.1 and a wide portion 12b.sub.2. The narrow portion 12b.sub.1 has a width narrower than the width of the main electrode portion 12a. The wide portion 12b.sub.2 has a width greater than the width of the narrow portion 12b.sub.1. The narrow portion 12b.sub.1 is located between the terminal electrode 6 and the wide portion 12b.sub.2 and connects the terminal electrode 6 with the wide portion 12b.sub.2. The narrow portion 12b.sub.1 electrically connects the terminal electrode 6 with the wide portion 12b.sub.2. The narrow portion 12b.sub.1 includes the end portion 12c. The narrow portion 12b.sub.1 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the narrow portion 12b.sub.1 is half of the width of the main electrode portion 12a, or less, for example. The wide portion 12b.sub.2 is located between the narrow portion 12b.sub.1 and the main electrode portion 12a, and connects the narrow portion 12b.sub.1 with the main electrode portion 12a. The wide portion 12b.sub.2 electrically connects the narrow portion 12b.sub.1 with the main electrode portion 12a. The wide portion 12b.sub.2 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the wide portion 12b.sub.2 is, for example, the same as the width of the main electrode portion 12a.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 9C, the connecting portion 13b includes a narrow portion 13b.sub.1 and a wide portion 13b.sub.2. The narrow portion 13b.sub.1 has a width narrower than the width of the main electrode portion 13a. The wide portion 13b.sub.2 has a width greater than the width of the narrow portion 13b.sub.1. The narrow portion 13b.sub.1 is located between the terminal electrode 5 and the wide portion 13b.sub.2, and connects the terminal electrode 5 with the wide portion 13b.sub.2. The narrow portion 13b.sub.1 electrically connects the terminal electrode 5 with the wide portion 13b.sub.2. The narrow portion 13b.sub.1 includes the end portion 13c. The narrow portion 13b.sub.1 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the narrow portion 13b.sub.1 is half of the width of the main electrode portion 13a, or less, for example. The wide portion 13b.sub.2 is located between the narrow portion 13b.sub.1 and the main electrode portion 13a, and connects the narrow portion 13b.sub.1 with the main electrode portion 13a. The wide portion 13b.sub.2 electrically connects the narrow portion 13b.sub.1 with the main electrode portion 13a. The wide portion 13b.sub.2 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the wide portion 13b.sub.2 is, for example, the same as the width of the main electrode portion 13a.

[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 9D, the connecting portion 14b includes a narrow portion 14b.sub.1 and a wide portion 14b.sub.2. The narrow portion 14b.sub.1 has a width narrower than the width of the main electrode portion 14a. The wide portion 14b.sub.2 has a width greater than the width of the narrow portion 14b.sub.1. The narrow portion 14b.sub.1 is located between the terminal electrode 6 and the wide portion 14b.sub.2, and connects the terminal electrode 6 with the wide portion 14b.sub.2. The narrow portion 14b.sub.1 electrically connects the terminal electrode 6 with the wide portion 14b.sub.2. The narrow portion 14b.sub.1 includes the end portion 14c. The narrow portion 14b.sub.1 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the narrow portion 14b.sub.1 is half of the width of the main electrode portion 14a, or less, for example. The wide portion 14b.sub.2 is located between the narrow portion 14b.sub.1 and the main electrode portion 14a, and connects the narrow portion 14b.sub.1 with the main electrode portion 14a. The wide portion 14b.sub.2 electrically connects the narrow portion 14b.sub.1 with the main electrode portion 14a. The wide portion 14b.sub.2 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the wide portion 14b.sub.2 is, for example, the same as the width of the main electrode portion 14a.

[0076] In the first embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction, the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 11b is generally different from the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 13b, and the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 12b is generally different from the position of the formation region of the portion 14b. In the second embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction, the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 11b is partially aligned with the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 13b, and the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 12b is partially aligned with the position of the formation region of the connecting portion 14b.

[0077] When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 11b.sub.1 and the narrow portion 13b.sub.1 are located not to overlap with each other, and the wide portion 11b.sub.2 and the wide portion 13b.sub.2 are located to overlap with each other. When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 12b.sub.1 and the narrow portion 14b.sub.1 are located not to overlap with each other, and the wide portion 12b.sub.2 and the wide portion 14b.sub.2 are located to overlap with each other.

[0078] When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 11b.sub.1 is located closer to the side surface 3c and the narrow portion 13b.sub.1 is located closer to the side surface 3d, between the end surface 3a and the wide portion 11b.sub.2. When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 12b.sub.1 is located closer to the side surface 3c and the narrow portion 14b.sub.1 is located closer to the side surface 3d, between the end surface 3b and the wide portion 14b.sub.2.

[0079] In the second embodiment, as with the first embodiment, the end portion 11c and the end portion 13c are located not to overlap with each other when viewed from the Z direction, and the end portion 12c and the end portion 14c are located not to overlap with each other when viewed from the Z direction. When the end surface 3a is viewed, the end portions 11c and 13c are alternately arranged in a plurality of rows. When the end surface 3b is viewed, the end portions 12c and 14c are alternately arranged in a plurality of rows.

[0080] When viewed from the Z direction, the wide portion 11b.sub.2 is located between a region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other and a region in which the narrow portion 11b.sub.1 is arranged. When viewed from the Z direction, the wide portion 13b.sub.2 is located between the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other and a region in which the narrow portion 13b.sub.1 is arranged.

[0081] When viewed from the Z direction, a region in which the wide portions 11b.sub.2 and 13b.sub.2 are arranged is located close to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other. In the second embodiment, the region in which the wide portions 11b.sub.2 and 13b.sub.2 are arranged is adjacent to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other. When viewed in the Z direction, the wide portion 11b.sub.2 and the wide portion 13b.sub.2 overlap with each other without having the main electrode portions 11a to 14a therebetween. This leads to a gentle level difference generated between the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other and the region close to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other.

[0082] When viewed from the Z direction, the wide portion 12b.sub.2 is located between the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other and a region in which the narrow portion 12b.sub.1 is arranged. When viewed in the Z direction, the wide portion 14b.sub.2 is located between a region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a are overlapped with each other and a region in which the narrow portion 14b.sub.1 is arranged.

[0083] When viewed from the Z direction, a region in which the wide portions 12b.sub.2 and 14b.sub.2 are arranged is located close to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other. In the second embodiment, the region in which the wide portions 12b.sub.2 and 14b.sub.2 are arranged is adjacent to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other. When viewed in the Z direction, the wide portion 12b.sub.2 and the wide portion 14b.sub.2 overlap with each other without having the main electrode portions 11a to 14a therebetween. This leads to a gentle level difference generated between the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other and the region close to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other.

[0084] As described above, also in the second embodiment, the end portions 11c and 13c are alternately arranged in a plurality of rows when the end surface 3a is viewed. Therefore, in the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the second embodiment, the residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 11b and 13b are dispersed, as compared with a configuration where the end portions 11c and 13c are arranged in a same row. When the end surface 3b is viewed, the end portions 12c and 14c are alternately arranged in a plurality of rows. Therefore, in the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the second embodiment, the residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 12b and 14b are dispersed, as compared with a configuration where the end portions 12c and 14c are arranged in a same row. As a result of dispersion of the residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 11b to 14b, the occurrence of the crack attributed to the residual stresses is suppressed in the second embodiment.

[0085] The element body 3 might have a local level difference generated between the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other and a region close to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other. The local level difference is attributed to the thickness of the main electrode portions 11a to 14a. The local level difference might be one of the factors of a crack.

[0086] In the second embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction, a region in which the wide portions 11b.sub.2 and 13b.sub.2 are arranged and a region in which the wide portions 12b.sub.2 and 14b.sub.2 are arranged are located close to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other. This leads to the gentle level difference generated between the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other and the region close to the region in which the main electrode portions 11a to 14a overlap with each other, and thus, the level difference is unlikely to cause a crack. As a result, in the second embodiment, the occurrence of the crack caused by the level difference is suppressed.

Third Embodiment

[0087] Next, a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Although not illustrated, the multilayer ceramic capacitor according to the third embodiment includes the element body 3 and the pair of terminal electrodes 5 and 6, as with the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1. Also in the third embodiment, the element body 3 is configured by stacking the plurality of dielectric layers 4 and the plurality of internal electrodes 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the Z direction.

[0088] FIG. 10A to 10D are plan views corresponding to FIGS. 4A to 4D, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10D, in the third embodiment, the shapes of the main electrode portions 11a to 14a of the internal electrodes 11 to 14 are different from the shapes in the first embodiment. Each of the main electrode portions 11a to 14a is not rectangular but has a substantially L shape. In FIG. 10A to 10D, a boundary between the main electrode portions 11a to 14a and the connecting portions 11b to 14b is indicated by a one-dot chain line. Hereinafter, the width is the length in the X direction.

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the main electrode portion 11a includes a wide portion 11a.sub.1 and a narrow portion 11a.sub.2. The wide portion 11a.sub.1 has a width greater than the width of the connecting portion 11b. The narrow portion 11a.sub.2 has a width narrower than the width of the wide portion 11a.sub.1. The wide portion 11a.sub.1 is connected with the narrow portion 11a.sub.2. The wide portion 11a.sub.1 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the wide portion 11a.sub.1 is, for example, twice or more as great as the width of the connecting portion 11b. The narrow portion 11a.sub.2 is located between the wide portion 11a.sub.1 and the connecting portion 11b, and connects the wide portion 11a.sub.1 with the connecting portion 11b. The narrow portion 11a.sub.2 electrically connects the wide portion 11a.sub.1 with the connecting portion 11b. The narrow portion 11a.sub.2 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the narrow portion 11a.sub.2 is, for example, the same as the width of the connecting portion 11b.

[0090] As illustrated in. FIG. 10B, the main electrode portion 12a includes a wide portion 12a.sub.1 and a narrow portion 12a.sub.2. The wide portion 12a.sub.1 has a width greater than the width of the connecting portion 12b. The narrow portion 12a.sub.2 has a width narrower than the width of the wide portion 12a.sub.1. The wide portion 12a.sub.1 is connected with the narrow portion 12a.sub.2. The wide portion 12a.sub.1 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the wide portion 12a.sub.1 is, for example, twice or more as great as the width of the connecting portion 12b. The narrow portion 12a.sub.2 is located between the wide portion 12a.sub.1 and the connecting portion 12b, and connects the wide portion 12a.sub.1 with the connecting portion 12b. The narrow portion 12a.sub.2 electrically connects the wide portion 12a.sub.1 with the connecting portion 12b. The narrow portion 12a.sub.2 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the narrow portion 12a.sub.2 is, for example, the same as the width of the connecting portion 12b.

[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 10C, the main electrode portion 13a includes a wide portion 13a.sub.1 and a narrow portion 13a.sub.2. The wide portion 13a.sub.1 has a width greater than the width of the connecting portion 13b. The narrow portion 13a.sub.2 has a width narrower than the width of the wide portion 13a.sub.1. The wide portion 13a.sub.1 is connected with the narrow portion 13a.sub.2. The wide portion 13a.sub.1 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the wide portion 13a.sub.1 is, for example, twice or more as great as the width of the connecting portion 13b. The narrow portion 13a.sub.2 is located between the wide portion 13a.sub.1 and the connecting portion 13b, and connects the wide portion 13a.sub.1 with the connecting portion 13b. The narrow portion 13a.sub.2 electrically connects the wide portion 13a.sub.1 with the connecting portion 13b. The narrow portion 13a.sub.2 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the narrow portion 13a.sub.2 is, for example, the same as the width of the connecting portion 13b.

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 10D, the main electrode portion 14a includes a wide portion 14a.sub.1 and a narrow portion 14a.sub.2. The wide portion 14a.sub.1 has a width greater than the width of the connecting portion 14b. The narrow portion 14a.sub.2 has a width narrower than the width of the wide portion 14a.sub.1. The wide portion 14a.sub.1 is connected with the narrow portion 14a.sub.2. The wide portion 14a.sub.1 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the wide portion 14a.sub.1 is, for example, twice or more as great as the width of the connecting portion 14b. The narrow portion 14a.sub.2 is located between the wide portion 14a.sub.1 and the connecting portion 14b, and connects the wide portion 14a.sub.1 with the connecting portion 14b. The narrow portion 14a.sub.2 electrically connects the wide portion 14a.sub.1 with the connecting portion 14b. The narrow portion 14a.sub.2 has a rectangular shape, for example. The width of the narrow portion 14a.sub.2 is, for example, the same as the width of the connecting portion 14b.

[0093] As illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10D, each of the widths of the narrow portions 11a.sub.2 and 13a.sub.2 is narrower than each of the widths of the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively. Each of the widths of the narrow portions 12a.sub.2 and 14a.sub.2 is narrower than each of the widths of the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1, respectively.

[0094] In the first embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction, the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 11a and the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 13a are generally aligned with each other, and the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 12a and the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 14a are generally aligned with each other. In the third embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction, the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 11a is partially different from the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 13a, and the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 12a is partially different from the position of the formation region of the main electrode portion 14a.

[0095] When viewed from the Z direction, the wide portion 11a.sub.1 and the wide portion 13a.sub.1 are located to overlap with each other, and the narrow portion 11a.sub.2 and the narrow portion 13a.sub.2 are located not to overlap with each other. When viewed from the Z direction, the wide portion 12a.sub.1 and the wide portion 14a.sub.1 are located to overlap with each other, and the narrow portion 12a.sub.2 and the narrow portion 14a.sub.2 are located not to overlap with each other.

[0096] When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 11a.sub.2 is located between a region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1, 13a.sub.1 and the wide portions 12a.sub.1, 14a.sub.1 overlap with each other and a region in which the connecting portion 11b is arranged. When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 13a.sub.2 is located between the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively, and the region in which the connecting portion 13b is arranged.

[0097] When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portions 11a.sub.2 and 13a.sub.2 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively. When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 11a.sub.2 overlaps with a region close to the end surface 3a and the side surface 3c in the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, and the narrow portion 13a.sub.2 overlaps with a region close to the end surface 3a and the side surface 3d in the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1. Therefore, when viewed from the Z direction, a region in which the wide portion 12a.sub.1 and the wide portion 14a.sub.1 overlap with each other without having the narrow portions 11a.sub.2 and 13a.sub.2 therebetween is formed between the narrow portion 11a.sub.2 and the narrow portion 13a.sub.2.

[0098] When viewed from the Z direction, the region in which the wide portion 12a.sub.1 and the wide portion 14a.sub.1 overlap with each other without having the narrow portions 11a.sub.2 and 13a.sub.2 therebetween is located close to the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 and the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1 overlap with each other, respectively. In the third embodiment, the region in which the wide portion 12a.sub.1 and the wide portion 14a.sub.1 overlap with each other without having the narrow portions 11a.sub.2 and 13a.sub.2 therebetween is adjacent to the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively. This leads to a gentle level difference generated between the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively, and a region close to the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively.

[0099] When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 12a.sub.2 is located between the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, and the region in which the connecting portion 12b is arranged. When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 14a.sub.2 is located between the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively, and the region in which the connecting portion 14b is arranged.

[0100] When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portions 12a.sub.2 and 14a.sub.2 overlap with the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 respectively. When viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portion 12a.sub.2 overlaps with a region close to the end surface 3b and the side surface 3c in the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1, and the narrow portion 14a.sub.2 overlaps with a region close to the end surface 3b and the side surface 3d in the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1. Therefore, when viewed from the Z direction, a region in which the wide portion 11a.sub.1 and the wide portion 13a.sub.1 overlap with each other without having the narrow portions 12a.sub.2 and 14a.sub.2 therebetween is formed between the narrow portion 12a.sub.2 and the narrow portion 14a.sub.2.

[0101] When viewed from the Z direction, the region in which the wide portion 11a.sub.1 and the wide portion 13a.sub.1 overlap with each other without having the narrow portions 12a.sub.2 and 14a.sub.2 therebetween is located close to the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 and the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1 overlap with each other, respectively. In the third embodiment, the region in which the wide portion 11a.sub.1 and the wide portion 13a.sub.1 overlap with each other without having the narrow portions 12a.sub.2 and 14a.sub.2 therebetween is adjacent to the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively. This leads to a gentle level difference generated between the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively, and a region close to the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively.

[0102] As described above, also in the third embodiment, as a result of dispersion of the residual stresses that concentrate on the connecting portions 11b to 14b, the occurrence of the crack attributed to the residual stresses is suppressed, as with the first and second embodiments.

[0103] In the third embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction, the narrow portions 12a.sub.2 and 14a.sub.2 overlap with the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 respectively, and the narrow portions 11a.sub.2 and 13a.sub.2 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively. When viewed from the Z direction, the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with each other without having the narrow portions 12a.sub.2 and 14a.sub.2 therebetween and the region in which the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1 overlap with each other without having the narrow portions 11a.sub.2 and 13a.sub.2 therebetween are located close to the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 and the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1 overlap with each other, respectively. This leads to the gentle level difference generated between the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively, and the region which is close to the region in which the wide portions 11a.sub.1 and 13a.sub.1 overlap with the wide portions 12a.sub.1 and 14a.sub.1, respectively, and thus, the level difference is unlikely to cause the crack. As a result, in the third embodiment, the occurrence of the crack is suppressed.

[0104] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may include modifications and other applications obtained within the spirit and scope described in attached claims.

[0105] As long as the effects of the present invention are achieved, the arrangement order of the internal electrodes in the stacking direction is not limited to the arrangement order described in the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, arrangement is in the order of the internal electrode 11, the internal electrode 12, the internal electrode 13, and the internal electrode 14. The arrangement, however, may be in the order of the internal electrode 11, the internal electrode 14, the internal electrode 13, and the internal electrode 12. For example, the internal electrode 11 and the internal electrode 13 may be alternately arranged in succession, and the internal electrode 12 and the internal electrode 14 may be alternately arranged in succession.

[0106] The shape of each of the internal electrodes 11 to 14 is not limited to the shape disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, the internal electrodes 11 to 14 having the shape exemplified in the first embodiment and the internal electrodes 11 to 14 having the shape exemplified in the second or third embodiment may be mixed in one multilayer ceramic capacitor.

[0107] The separation distance La.sub.1 need not be 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as the width Lb.sub.1. The separation distance La.sub.2 need not be 0.1 to 0.6 times as great as the width Lb.sub.2.

[0108] The ratio (d2/d1) of the thickness d2 to the thickness d1 need not be 1.5 or more.

[0109] The surface roughness of the element body 3 need not be 3.0 to 6.0 μm.