Current sensor

摘要

A current sensor includes a magnetoresistive element that has a stripe shape and that has a sensing axis in a certain direction. The magnetoresistive element includes element portions that are disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the stripe shape, and permanent magnet portions, each of which is disposed between adjacent ones of the element portions. Each element portion has a layered structure including a free magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is changed with respect to an external magnetic field, a non-magnetic intermediate layer, and a ferromagnetic pinned layer whose magnetization direction is pinned. The permanent magnet portion includes a hard bias layer, and an electrode layer that is disposed so as to cover the hard bias layer.

主权项

1. A current sensor comprising:
a magnetoresistive element formed in a stripe shape, the magnetoresistive element having a sensing axis in a certain direction, the magnetoresistive element including:
a plurality of element portions disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the stripe shape; anda plurality of permanent magnet portions, each disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of element portions, wherein each of the plurality of element portions has a layered structure including:
a free magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is changed with respect to an external magnetic field applied thereto;a non-magnetic intermediate layer; anda ferromagnetic pinned layer whose magnetization direction is pinned, and wherein the permanent magnet portion includes:
a hard bias layer that applies a bias magnetic field to the free magnetic layer; andan electrode layer disposed so as to cover the hard bias layer, the electrode layer electrically connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of element portions.