SBIR Phase II: High-Temperature Magnetic Rotary Encoder Based on a Spintronic Sensing Array

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段研究项目将继续开发基于磁性隧道结（MTJ）传感器技术的增量磁性旋转编码器。该器件使用敏感的MTJ器件来感测由图案化磁化标尺产生的磁场，并将所得信息转换为角位置的精确阅读。高温运行（高达200摄氏度）和抗污染的双重优势将使该器件与目前主导电机编码器市场的光学编码器区分开来。目前的电机编码器很少能够在115摄氏度以上工作，这一问题要求许多细分市场中的电机在非最佳配置下工作，从而在时间和效率方面给最终用户带来成本。此外，光学方法对测量路径中的灰尘很敏感。这项开发工作将创造一种新的测量技术，其功能大大增强，可用于美国制造业的许多关键领域。创造能够在高温下工作的经济高效的编码器将提高效率，并在一些不可避免的高温环境中取得进一步进展，例如在发电风车的涡轮机中。这项研究将推进对磁隧道结新兴自旋电子技术的理解，磁隧道结是一类形成高科技半导体和数据存储行业中许多重要商业产品的核心组件的设备。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II research project will continue the development of an incremental magnetic rotary encoder based on magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensor technology. This device uses sensitive MTJ devices to sense the magnetic field created by a patterned magnetized scale, and converts the resulting information into an accurate reading of angular position. The dual advantages of high-temperature operation (up to 200 degrees C) and contamination resistance will separate this device from the optical encoders that currently dominate the market for motor encoders. Current motor encoders are rarely capable of operation above 115 degrees C, a problem that requires motors in many market segments to operate in non-optimal configurations, costing end users in terms of time and efficiency. In addition, optical methods are sensitive to dust in the measurement path. This development effort will create a new measurement technology with greatly enhanced capabilities for use in many critical segments of America's manufacturing sector. The creation of cost-effective encoders capable of operation at high temperatures will increase efficiency and enable further progress in a number of areas where hot environments are unavoidable, such as in the turbines of power-generating windmills. This research will advance the state of understanding of the emerging spintronic technology of magnetic tunnel junctions, a class of devices which forms the central component of a number of important commercial products in the high-tech semiconductor and data storage industries.