SBIR Phase II: Ultra Low Hysteresis Giant-Magnetoresistive (GMR) Bridge Sensor

该小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目将开发巨磁阻(GMR)传感器件，该器件可产生比现有桥式传感器和GMR信号隔离器更优异的磁滞性能，并在不使用粘贴磁铁或功耗线圈的情况下提供固有的自偏置。第一阶段展示了边缘钉扎技术可用于制作具有设计偏置点的低滞后推挽和屏蔽桥传感器。在该技术商业化之前，第二阶段的研究必须：(1)开发最大限度地减少磁滞和最大化信号的硬边电阻元件；(2)优化硬边处理和实现；(3)确定替代钉扎策略的可行性；(4)开发传感器或隔离器原型产品的规格、架构和物理设计；(5)制造目标器件；以及(6)表征器件的磁和电响应。一种完全开发的磁场传感器和/或信号隔离器有望商业化。潜在的商业应用是分立式低磁滞电桥传感器和隔离器，改进的数字磁开关，以及采用集成电路(IC)反馈放大器的超低场传感器。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop giant-magnetoresistive (GMR) sensing devices that yield superior hysteresis performance over existing bridge sensors and GMR signal isolators and provide intrinsic self-biasing without using affixed magnets or power consuming coils. Phase I demonstrated that edge pinning techniques can be used to fabricate low hysteresis push-pull and shielded bridge sensors with designed bias points. Before the technology can be commercialized, Phase II research must: (1) develop hard edge resistor elements that minimize hysteresis and maximize signal; (2) optimize hard edge processing and implementation; (3) determine the viability of alternate pinning strategies; (4) develop specification, architecture, and physical designs for prototype sensor or isolator products; (5) fabricate target devices; and (6) characterize devices for magnetic and electrical responses. A fully developed magnetic field sensor and/or signal isolator is expected, one that is ready for commercialization.Potential commercial applications are discrete low hysteresis bridge sensors and isolators, improved digital magnetic switches, and ultra-low field sensors employing integrated circuit (IC) based feedback amplifiers.