MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR AND METHOD

摘要

A magnetic sensor comprises a magnetoresistive element and a monitoring system for monitoring the resistivity of the magnetoresistive element. The electrical resistivity of the element varies in accordance with a magnetic field to which the magnetoresistive element is exposed. The monitoring system comprises a beam of charged particles and a particle acceleration system for causing the beam to impinge on the surface of the magnetoresistive element and the resistivity of the element is calculated from the beam current.