Local probe of magnetic properties
US6762954B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2029/5002
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for probing the magnetic permeability of a material are disclosed. A sensor unit can be configured to comprise magnet layers thereof, including a soft ferromagnetic layer, a first hard ferromagnetic layer and a second hard ferromagnetic layer. An intermediate layer (e.g., conductor or insulator) can be disposed between the first hard ferromagnetic layer and the soft ferromagnetic layer within the sensor unit. Additionally, a spacer layer can be disposed between the soft ferromagnetic layer and the second hard ferromagnetic layer, wherein the sensor unit measures the magnetic properties of a material located a distance from the sensor unit through the magnetic interaction of the magnetic layers of the sensor unit. Conduction between the first hard ferromagnetic layer and the soft ferromagnetic layer generally occurs via tunneling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.