Patent ID: 6144534
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B

Abstract:
A magneto-resistive sensor comprising:a magneto-resistive element having an active area with an electrical resistance sensitive to changes in magnetic flux, the magneto-resistive element defining a longitudinal direction;at least one hard magnet adjacent the magneto-resistive element, the hard magnet being longitudinally aligned with the magneto-resistive element to magnetically bias the magneto-resistive element across the active area, the hard magnet comprising:a first seed layer of soft magnetic, electrically conductive material;a first magnet layer of hard magnetic, electrically conductive material laminated to a longitudinally extending side of the first seed layer; anda second magnet layer of hard magnetic, electrically conductive material laminated against an opposing longitudinally extending side of the first seed layer and magnetically oriented in the same direction as the first magnet layer such that the first magnet layers the first seed layer and the second magnet layer exhibit unified magnetic properties; anda first lead for directing electric current through the active area of the magneto-resistive element.