SMD capacitor package size and high frequency performance

Yes, it makes a difference.

A larger package will generally have a higher parasitic inductance, leading to a lower self-resonant frequency and higher impedance at high frequencies:

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(image source: electronicdesign.com)

For an 0.1 uF capacitor at 0402 size, the resonant frequency is typically in the 10-20 MHz range.


The reason for max ESL is from V=Ldi/dt >> V(ripple)=Vr= ESL * dI/dt where dI comes from CMOS cap load spike with driver ESR 25~50 Ohms into load and Miller Cap in pF with slew time dt and from any CMOS logic drivers, Ic=CdV/dt this is a "dynamic" current spike with Miller cap and input+stray cap loading thus dI(L)=I(C) so ...

Vr=ESL C dV/dt²

Ripple can be large and is critical dependant on ESR ( thus current limit of driver) ESL of track, C load and ESR of C load with high Q resonance. Many variables but in this example 50Ω thus 100mA short circuit current from 5V but only rated for 50mA. with 1 inch of FR4 at 10nH/" and 2pF/" so nearest decoupling cap is 1 DIP package away at 1". The result is > 10% noise but assumes no ground plane. enter image description here

For ultra low ESL the aspect ratio for L/W must be low. 603, 1206 are both 2:1 but 306 is reverse geometry to 603 and thus nearly 1/4 the inductance and almost twice the SRF.

It is usually best to use 3 caps spread apart by no more than 3 decades due to ESR,SRF properties. The bulk largest size depends on step load & ESR of LDO for load regulation error and the bulk cap reduces this error. Next short term transients > 1us where PSRR is poor is the intermediate cap from 0.1 to 1uF then the smallest cap for RF slew rates values must be >100x the Coss or effective switched capacitance of all synchronous gates in [mA/ns] for charge transformer ratio in ripple reduction. For RF in the GHz range these require careful selection well below 100pF unless sufficiently high rated SRF.

For example of ~40:1 ranges 47uF, 1uF, 0.01uF
ALternatives use many (>>10) in parallel with a low aspect ratio of L/W of same value such as 0.1uF of carefully selected low ESL part.

in general, but specifically don't use General purpose caps use low ESR/low ESL and verify layout and specs. Don't guess.

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By the way. this 306 has the same size 60 thou termination coductive pads as 1206. This trick to soldering them with a 67 thou tip (1/16) is to quickly tack one side then solder the other then resolder the 1st side with a toothpick holding it down on (abrasively) cleaned pads. This works well for 603 parts as well and 402 is best done with a hot air method with paste. and tool to hold in place if tombstone issues arise...

These are also excellent 1206 Acrylic caps. http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cornell-dubilier-electronics-cde/FCA1206A105M-H3/338-4076-1-ND/5700231