Tantalum oxide capacitors for GaAs monolithic integrated circuits

The performance of a high-yield tantalum oxide capacitor for use in GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuits is described. The integral metal-insulator-metal sandwich structure is reactively sputter-deposited at low temperatures, compatible with a photoresist lift-off process, on semi-insulating GaAs substrate. Dielectric constants of 20-25 were achieved in the capacitors fabricated. An initial application of this process as an interstage coupling capacitor for a two-stage preamplifier is given.