https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:2005020
Flux-gate like 2D magnetometer based on a single magnetic tunnel junction
1
LPM, UMR CNRS 7556, BP 239,
54506 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
2
LEPSI, 23 rue du Loess, BP 20, 67037 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
3
LPMIA, UMR CNRS 7040, BP 239, 54506 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France
Corresponding author: hehn@lpm.u-nancy.fr
Received:
9
February
2004
Revised:
13
September
2004
Accepted:
26
October
2004
Published online:
4
March
2005
The pick-up coil of a conventional flux-gate sensor has been
replaced by a magnetic tunnel junction. With this respect, the
magnetic properties of tunnel junctions have been optimized to be
relevant to flux-gate operation i.e. low-coercitive field and
reproducibility of the dynamic switchings. Furthermore, the use of
an alternative two-dimensional magnetic driving field extends the
use of the flux-gate like sensor to make a 2D magnetometer with a
single magnetic tunnel junction without any cross sensitivity. A
first demonstration is given with sensitivity above 500 V/T and
a noise level evaluated to 2 
with an optimized
magnetoresistive response.
PACS: 85.75.Ss – Magnetic field sensors using spin polarized transport
© EDP Sciences, 2005
