Tantalum electrolytic capacitors

Tantalum electrolytic capacitors

Tantalum electrolytic capacitors are a step up from aluminum capacitors.  They come in a number of types with different advantages, but in general, they have smaller size, lower leakage, lower dissipation factor, lower ESR, more stable capacitance over temperature, and good service life.  Tantalum capacitors aren't made in the monster sizes that aluminum capacitors are, but are available to several hundred µF in common voltage ratings (to about 100 volts) and to several thousand  uF at low voltage (6-10 volts).