Patent ID: 7525241

Claim:
A multilayer ceramic component comprising: a stack comprising ceramic layers and electrode layers interspersed among the ceramic layers, the electrode layers containing copper, the electrode layers comprising first and second internal electrodes; and first and second external contacts on different sides of the stack, the first and second external contacts containing copper, the first and second external contacts being substantially perpendicular to the ceramic layers and electrode layers; wherein the first internal electrode is connected to the first external contact and the second internal electrode is connected to the second external contact, the first and second internal electrodes overlapping each other at a plane intersecting the stack; wherein in areas adjacent to boundaries between the first and second external contacts and the ceramic layers, the first and second external contacts are not oxidized and material comprising the ceramic layers is not reduced; and wherein a bonding strength of the external contacts to the stack exceeds 50N; and wherein the ceramic layers comprise a ferroelectric perovskite ceramic of a PZT type Pb(Zr x Ti 1-x )O 3 , and wherein 1≧x≧0.