A solid electrolytic capacitor that is capable of withstanding laser
welding without a significant deterioration in its electrical performance
is provided. The capacitor contains an anode body, dielectric layer
overlying the anode body, and a solid organic electrolyte layer overlying
the dielectric layer. Furthermore, the capacitor of the present invention
also employs a light reflective layer that overlies the solid organic
electrolyte layer. The present inventors have discovered that such a
light reflective layer may help reflect any light that inadvertently
travels toward the capacitor element during laser welding. This results
in reduced contact of the solid organic electrolyte with the laser and
thus minimizes defects in the electrolyte that would have otherwise been
formed by carbonization. The resultant laser-welded capacitor is
therefore characterized by such performance characteristics as relatively
low ESR and low leakage currents.