Patent ID: 6404191
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B

Abstract:
A plurality of magnetic field sensors in a multiple sensor structure having a substrate, said magnetic field sensors providing at corresponding outputs thereof representations of magnetic field changes provided therein from a corresponding source of such magnetic field changes, said sensor structure comprising:a plurality of paired pole structures supported on said substrate with each of those pole structures in a said paired pole structure being spaced apart from one another to form a corresponding gap space therebetween and with each of said pole structures comprising a permeable material and having an end thereof substantially in a common surface; and a plurality of field sensing structures each supported on said substrate adjacent a corresponding paired pole structure with at least a portion thereof positioned away from said common surface, each of said plurality field sensing structures being formed of a plurality of magnetoresistive, anisotropic, ferromagnetic thin-film layers at least two of which are separated from one another by a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween.