This disclosure relates generally to magnetic sensors, and more particularly to the low cost integration of micron-scale permanent magnets with magnetic sensors for generating a large, relatively uniform perpendicular bias field that may be used to maximize the sensitivity of semiconductor magnetoresistance sensors.
Semiconductor magnetoresistance sensors are a promising class of solid-state magnetic sensors. These sensors consist of a substrate of patterned, high mobility semiconducting films. Some non-limiting examples of patterned, high mobility semiconducting films include indium antimonide (InSb), indium arsenide (InAs), gallium antimonide (GaSb), gallium arsenide (GaAs) and grapheme. The application of a perpendicular magnetic field to the substrate of a patterned, high mobility semiconducting film deflects the current in the substrate of the patterned, high mobility semiconducting film, resulting in an increased path length and hence an increased resistance. By optimizing the geometry of the semiconductor magnetoresistance sensor, the sensitivity can be maximized.
While magnetoresistance sensors have been developed for some time, they have not had broad commercial applicability, due in part to the need to apply a large perpendicular magnetic bias field (approximately 0.1 to 0.2 Tesla) to achieve high sensitivity. For certain applications such as clearance sensors for automotive applications, macroscopic permanent magnets are either already present or can be easily integrated into a desired location. Thus, magnetoresistance sensors have been intensively investigated for automotive applications.
However, a much larger range of magnetic sensor applications require that the entire assembly (sensor and magnet) must be compact. Examples include surface mount semiconductor packages and electromagnetic tracking devices for medical instruments, such as needles, catheters and guidewires, etc.
Macroscopic permanent magnets are typically fabricated by pressure sintering permanent magnet powder (e.g., neodymium iron boron (NdFeB)) into a desired form. While these magnets are capable of achieving very large magnetic fields on their faces (approximately 0.5 Tesla) they cannot be shrunk down to less than approximately 1 mm3 volumes needed for space constrained applications. In addition, as each magnet is fabricated separately, precise placement and bonding of the magnet within the magnetoresistance sensor is very difficult.
Alternatively, perpendicular magnetic bias fields can be generated using magnetic thin films with perpendicular anisotropy. Examples include iron gadolinium terbium (FeGdTb) alloys and a cobolt platinum (CoPt) multilayer. Unfortunately, however, to generate a large (approximately 0.1 to 0.2 Tesla) uniform magnetic field over the front face requires that the thickness of the film be approximately as large as the base (dependent upon the detailed magnetic properties of the material). Thus, a magnetic sensor with an active area of approximately 0.25 mm×0.25 mm would require a permanent magnet material that is at least approximately 0.15 mm thick (dependent upon the detailed magnetic properties of the material). At this film thickness, traditional thin film process techniques such as sputtering, evaporation or chemical vapor deposition are not feasible. While electroplating has been used to create magnetic films of thicknesses up to approximately 30 μm, the magnetic properties are too poor for magnetic field values needed for magnetoresistance sensors.
Therefore, there is a need for low cost integration of micron-scale permanent magnets within magnetic sensors for generating a large, relatively uniform perpendicular magnetic bias field that may be used to maximize the sensitivity of semiconductor magnetoresistance sensors.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a method of integrating a permanent bias magnet within a magnetoresistance sensor comprising depositing an alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material on or within a surface of an insulating substrate; depositing a mask on the surface of the insulating substrate to create an opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; applying a magnetic paste within the opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; curing the magnetic paste to form a hardened bias magnet; removing the mask; and magnetizing the hardened bias magnet by applying a strong magnetic field to the hardened bias magnet at a desired orientation.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a method of producing an integrated magnetoresistance sensor assembly including a permanent bias magnet comprising depositing an alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material on or within a surface of an insulating substrate; depositing a photoresist mask on the surface of the insulating substrate in a pattern that covers the surface of the insulating substrate, but leaves an opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; applying a magnetic paste over the photoresist mask and the opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; removing the magnetic paste from above the photoresist mask, but leaving the magnetic paste within the opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; curing the magnetic paste within the opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material to form a hardened bias magnet; removing the photoresist mask from around the hardened bias magnet; and applying a strong magnetic field to the hardened bias magnet at a desired orientation to magnetize the hardened bias magnet.
Various other features, aspects, and advantages will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.
Referring now to the drawings,
The semiconductor material 16 may be series connected to increase the magnetoresistance sensor 10 resistance. In an exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor material 16 may be comprised of a single semiconductor element. The bias magnet material 20 subjects the semiconductor material 16 to a magnetic field required to achieve required sensitivity. The magnetoresistance sensor 10 provides a signal in response to the strength and direction of a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be approximately 0.1 to 0.2 Tesla.
The application of a magnetic field confines the electrons to the semiconductor material 16, resulting in an increased path length. Increasing the path length, increases the sensitivity of the magnetoresistance sensor 10. The magnetic field also increases the resistance of the magnetoresistance sensor 10. In the geometry disclosed in
Many new clinical applications include tracking of a variety of devices including catheters, guidewires, and other endovascular instruments that require sensors to be very small in size (millimeter dimensions or smaller). The form factor of the magnetoresistance sensor 10 may be scaled to sizes less than 0.1 mm x 0.1 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetoresistance sensor may be built with various architectures and geometries, including, giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors, and extraordinary magnetoresistance (EMR) sensors.
The magnetoresistance sensor 10 provides a very small form factor, excellent signal-to-noise ratio (low noise operation), and excellent low frequency response. Low noise combined with wide dynamic range enables the magnetoresistance sensor 10 to be used for position and orientation tracking. The low frequency response of the magnetoresistance sensor 10 allows a position and orientation tracking system to operate at very low frequencies where metal tolerance is maximized.
In an exemplary embodiment, a stencil or a screen printed mask may be used instead of a photoresist mask, to define the areas where the permanent magnets are to be formed.
In an exemplary embodiment, a subtractive process such as laser ablation, diamond sawing or chemical etching may be used to define the areas where the permanent magnets are to be formed.
In an exemplary embodiment, the permanent bias magnets may be fabricated on a separate substrate and then bonded (including the separate substrate) to the magnetoresistance sensor substrate.
In an exemplary embodiment, the permanent bias magnet 20 footprint may be approximately 0.25 mm×0.25 mm. This footprint may be controlled by the photoresist mask opening 34. In an exemplary embodiment, the permanent bias magnet 20 height may be approximately 0.2 mm. This height may be controlled by photoresist mask 32 thickness.
The present disclosure provides a method for low-cost integration of micron-scale permanent bias magnets within magnetoresistance sensors. In addition, the present disclosure provides a method for generating a strong, relatively uniform perpendicular magnetic bias field for magnetoresistance sensors. The perpendicular magnetic bias field may be used to maximize the sensitivity of the magnetoresistance sensors.
While the disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3892603 | Reid | Jul 1975 | A |
5729129 | Acker | Mar 1998 | A |
5752513 | Acker et al. | May 1998 | A |
5782765 | Jonkman | Jul 1998 | A |
5893206 | Furlani et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5982177 | Cadieu | Nov 1999 | A |
6172499 | Ashe | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6211666 | Acker | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6241671 | Ritter et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6246231 | Ashe | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6427079 | Schneider et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6493573 | Martinelli et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6528991 | Ashe | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6636757 | Jascob et al. | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6676813 | Pelekhov et al. | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6690963 | Ben-Haim et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6701179 | Martinelli et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6784660 | Ashe | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6789043 | Nelson et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6812842 | Dimmer | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6822570 | Dimmer et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6838990 | Dimmer | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6856823 | Ashe | Feb 2005 | B2 |
7174202 | Bladen et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7176798 | Dimmer et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7324915 | Altmann et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7373271 | Schneider | May 2008 | B1 |
7402996 | Arai et al. | Jul 2008 | B2 |
20030011359 | Ashe | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030173953 | Ashe | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030233042 | Ashe | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20050245821 | Govari et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050261566 | Hanley | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20060023369 | Carey et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20070078334 | Scully et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20080001756 | Dimmer et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080269596 | Revie et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
42707 | Dec 1981 | EP |
2002365010 | Dec 2002 | JP |
WO9960370 | Nov 1999 | WO |
WO0032179 | Jun 2000 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20110151587 A1 | Jun 2011 | US |