Coil component
A coil component according to one or more embodiments of the invention includes a base body, a coil conductor embedded in the base body, and an external electrode provided on the base body. The base body has on its surface a first region that has a first reflectance, a second region that has a second reflectance lower than the first reflectance, and a third region that is surrounded by the second region and has a third reflectance higher than the second reflectance. The third region has a shape of a sign.
1. A coil component comprising:
a non-conductive base body having on its outer surface a first region that has a first reflectance, a second region that has a second reflectance lower than the first reflectance, and a third region that is surrounded by the second region and has a third reflectance higher than the second reflectance, the third region has a shape of a sign, and wherein the first reflectance, the second reflectance, and third reflectance are determined via a relative reflectance measurement method that includes irradiating the base body with a measurement light and detecting light reflected from the outer surface of the base body;
a coil conductor provided in the non-conductive base body; and
an external electrode provided on the non-conductive base body, wherein both the coil conductor and the external electrode are formed of conductive material.
2. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the second reflectance at a wavelength of 700 nm is 10% or less.
3. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the second reflectance at a wavelength of 700 nm is 1% or more.
4. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the sign includes at least one of a character, number or symbol.
5. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the non-conductive base body is defined by a plurality of surfaces, and
wherein the second region occupies a whole one surface of the plurality of surfaces.
6. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the non-conductive base body is defined by a plurality of surfaces, and
wherein the second region occupies a part of one surface of the plurality of surfaces.
7. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive base body is formed of an Ni—Zn based ferrite material.
8. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive base body is formed of a magnetic material containing metal magnetic particles.
9. A circuit board comprising the coil component of claim 1 .
10. An electronic device comprising the circuit board of claim 9 .
11. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the non-conductive base body is defined by a plurality of element surfaces, the first region is provided on one of the plurality of element surfaces.
12. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the second region is surrounded by the first region.
13. The coil component of claim 1 , wherein the base body is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: a ferrite material, magnetic particles bonded to each other by an oxide film, and magnetic particles bonded by binder resin.