Multilayer ceramic capacitor and method of manufacturing the same

A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor, the method comprising:

• preparing a first ceramic green sheet on which a plurality of first internal electrode patterns are disposed to have a predetermined interval therebetween and a second ceramic green sheet on which a plurality of second internal electrode patterns are disposed to have a predetermined interval therebetween;
• forming a ceramic green sheet laminate by stacking the first and second ceramic green sheets so that the plurality of first and second internal electrode patterns are alternated with each other;
• cutting the ceramic green sheet laminate to have side surfaces to which distal ends of the plurality of first and second internal electrode patterns are exposed in a width direction;
• forming a first side margin portion and a second side margin portion on the side surfaces of the ceramic green sheet laminate to which the distal ends of the plurality of first and second internal electrode patterns are exposed;
• and
• preparing a ceramic body including dielectric layers and first and second internal electrodes by sintering the cut ceramic green sheet laminate,
• wherein the ceramic body includes an active portion including the first and second internal electrodes disposed to face each other with each of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween and forming capacitance, and cover portions disposed on upper and lower surfaces of the active portion,
• each of the first and second side margin portions is divided into a first region adjacent to an outer surface of the first and second side margin portions and a second region adjacent to the first and second internal electrodes,
• each of the cover portions is divided into a first region adjacent to an outer surface of the ceramic body and a second region adjacent to an internal electrode disposed in an outermost portion of the ceramic body among the first and second internal electrodes, and
• contents of magnesium (Mg) contained in the second regions of the cover portions and the first and second side margin portions are larger than contents of magnesium (Mg) contained in the first regions of the cover portions and the first and second side margin portions, respectively.

A multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising:

• a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second surfaces opposing each other, third and fourth surfaces connecting the first and second surfaces, and fifth and sixth surfaces connected to the first to fourth surfaces and opposing each other;
• a plurality of internal electrodes disposed in the ceramic body, exposed to the first and second surfaces, and each having one end exposed to the third or fourth surface;
• and
• a first side margin portion and a second side margin portion disposed on end portions of the internal electrodes exposed to the first and second surfaces, respectively,
• wherein the ceramic body includes an active portion including the plurality of internal electrodes disposed to face each other with each of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween and forming capacitance,
• each of the first and second side margin portions is divided into a first region adjacent to an outer surface of the first and second side margin portions and a second region adjacent to the plurality of internal electrodes exposed to the first and second surfaces, and
• contents of magnesium (Mg) contained in the second region of the first and second side margin portions are larger than contents of magnesium (Mg) contained in the first regions of the first and second side margin portions, respectively.