Patent ID: 7394248
Filing Date: 2008-07-01
Classification: B82Y,G01R

Abstract:
1. A method to improve process yield by reducing non-linearity and hysteresis during operation of a multi-element magnetic sensor, comprising: fabricating each of said elements as a multilayer stack whose aspect ratio, in plan view, exceeds 1.2, whereby each element has an anisotropy axis and an associated anisotropy field that determines a preferred direction for magnetization of the element, all such anisotropy axes being parallel to each other; providing a common top electrode for the elements and connecting said common top electrode to a common bottom electrode through said elements; exposing said sensor to a magnetic pulse whose direction is perpendicular to said anisotropy axes and whose magnitude exceeds said anisotropy field; and thereby causing each element to be magnetized along its anisotropy axis in a direction that is parallel to about half that of said elements and antiparallel to that of all remaining elements in said magnetic sensor.