Abstract: A constant-modulus alloy, which has a low saturation magnetic flux density to provide weakly magnetic properties, a high Young's modulus, a low temperature coefficient of Young's modulus, and high hardness, is provided. A hairspring, a mechanical driving apparatus and a watch and clock, in which the alloy is used, are provided. The alloy consists of Co, Ni, Cr, Mo. and Fe. The alloy is healed and cooled before being subjected to repeated wiredrawing and intermediate annealing, forming a wire with a fiber structure having a <111> fiber axis. The wire is then cold rolled into a sheet and heated to obtain optimal magnetic insensitivity and hardness.

Abstract: [Task] A constant-modulus alloy, which has a low saturation magnetic flux density to provide weakly magnetic properties, a high Young's modulus, a low temperature coefficient of Young's modulus, and high hardness, is provided. A hairspring, a mechanical driving apparatus and a watch and clock, in which the alloy is used, are provided. [Means for Solution] The alloy consists essentially of, by atomic weight ratio, 20 to 40% Co and 7 to 22% Ni, with the total of Co and Ni being 42.0 to 49.5%, 5 to 13% Cr and 1 to 6% Mo, with the total of Cr and Mo being 13.5 to 16.0%, and with the balance being essentially Fe (with the proviso that Fe is present in an amount of 37% or more) and inevitable impurities. The alloy is heated to a temperature of 1100 degrees C. or higher and lower than the melting point, followed by cooling. The alloy is subsequently subjected to repeated wiredrawing and intermediate annealing at 800 to 950 degrees C., thereby forming a wire at a working ratio of 90% or more.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic sensor comprising: forming a projection on a surface of an insulating substrate formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material by removing an unnecessary portion of the insulating substrate from a surface region thereof or by depositing a thin film formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material on the surface of the insulating substrate; forming a pair of thin film yokes positioned to face each other with the projection interposed therebetween and completely electrically separated from each other, the thin film yokes being formed by depositing a thin film formed of a soft magnetic material on the surface of the insulating substrate having the projection formed thereon, followed by partially removing the thin film formed of the soft magnetic material until at least a tip surface of the projection is exposed to the outside; and depositing a GMR film having an electrical resistivity higher than that of the soft magnetic material on the tip surface of the projection and

Abstract: A thin film magnetic sensor comprises a pair of thin film yokes each formed of a soft magnetic material, the thin film yokes being arranged to face each other with a gap interposed therebetween; a GMR film electrically connected to the pair of the thin film yokes and having an electrical resistivity higher than that of the soft magnetic material; and an insulating substrate supporting the thin film yokes and the GMR film and formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material. A gap column of a multilayer structure including a layer formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material and a layer of the GMR film is arranged within the gap, and the thickness of the GMR film is uniform over the gap length.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic sensor comprising: forming a projection on a surface of an insulating substrate formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material by removing an unnecessary portion of the insulating substrate from a surface region thereof or by depositing a thin film formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material on the surface of the insulating substrate; forming a pair of thin film yokes positioned to face each other with the projection interposed therebetween and completely electrically separated from each other, the thin film yokes being formed by depositing a thin film formed of a soft magnetic material on the surface of the insulating substrate having the projection formed thereon, followed by partially removing the thin film formed of the soft magnetic material until at least a tip surface of the projection is exposed to the outside; and depositing a GMR film having an electrical resistivity higher than that of the soft magnetic material on the tip surface of the projection and

Abstract: The magnetic north detecting device comprises: a 3-dimensional geomagnetism sensor unit including three geomagnetism sensors for detecting respective components of a geomagnetism magnetic field intensity in respective directions of three coordinate axes perpendicular to each other; and a 3-dimensional operation functional section for carrying out an operation on the basis of the components of the geomagnetism magnetic field intensity detected by the geomagnetism sensors, and calculating a magnetic north direction of the geomagnetism, and the 3-dimensional operation functional section carries out the operation and calculates the magnetic north direction of the geomagnetism, based on two assumptions that: (i) at least one axis of three coordinate axes of the 3-dimensional geomagnetism sensor unit is level to the earth surface; and (ii) an angle of a geomagnetism magnetic field vector which is calculated from the detected components of the geomagnetism magnetic field intensity, referring to the earth surface, co

Abstract: A thin film magnetic sensor comprises a pair of thin film yokes each formed of a soft magnetic material, the thin film yokes being arranged to face each other with a gap interposed therebetween; a GMR film electrically connected to the pair of the thin film yokes and having an electrical resistivity higher than that of the soft magnetic material; and an insulating substrate supporting the thin film yokes and the GMR film and formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material. A gap column of a multilayer structure including a layer formed of an insulating nonmagnetic material and a layer of the GMR film is arranged within the gap, and the thickness of the GMR film is uniform over the gap length.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic sensor comprises a pair of first thin film yoke and second thin film yoke each formed of a soft magnetic material, the first and second thin film yokes being positioned to face each other with a gap interposed therebetween; a GMR film having an electrical resistivity higher than that of the soft magnetic material and formed in the gap so as to be electrically connected to the first thin film yoke and the second thin film yoke; and an insulating substrate made of an insulating nonmagnetic material and serving to support the first thin film yoke, the second thin film yoke and the GMR film. The GMR film is formed on a facing surface of the first thin film yoke positioned to face the second thin film yoke, and the length of the gap is defined by the thickness of the GMR film positioned on the facing surface of the first thin film yoke.

Abstract: A nanogranular thin film consisting of nonmagnetic matrix and ferromagnetic fine particles in nano scale is improved to enhance the thermal stability and the S/N ratio. The ferromagnetic fine particles consist of (FeaCo1-a)1-xPtx, (0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦a≦1), (FeaCo1-a)1-xPdx, (0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦a≦1) or (FeaCo1-a) 1-x(PtbPd1-b)x, (0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦a≦1, and 0<b<1).

Abstract: A nanogranular thin film consisting of nonmagnetic matrix and ferromagnetic fine particles in nano scale is improved to enhance the thermal stability and the S/N ratio. The ferromagnetic fine particles consist of (FeaCo1-a)1-xPtx, (0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦x≦1), (FeaCo1-a)1-xPdx, (0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦x≦1) or (FeaCo1-a)1-x(PtbPd1-b)x, (0.3≦x≦0.7, 0.1≦x≦1, and 0<b<1).