Abstract: A strain gauge comprised of a premagnetized ferromagnetic film wherein any change in length of the film can be measured by employing the properties of magnetostriction and magnetoresistance. The strain gauge is deposited on a substrate by thin-film techniques and has a very high sensitivity. Preferably, two electrically insulated strips parallel strips of amorphous metal film have (in the absence of strain) respective directions of magnetization aligned antiparallel to one another and are connected electrically at one end. Such an arrangement facilitates the reversion of the magnetization back to its easy direction when the stress causing the strain is removed.

Abstract: A strain gauge comprised of a premagnetized ferromagnetic film wherein any change in length of the film is converted into a planar Hall voltage by employing the property of magnetostriction and the planar Hall effect. Alternately, a change in the length of the film can also be measured as a change in electric conductivity by employing the properties of magnetostriction and magnetoresistance. The strain gauge is deposited on a substrate by thin-film techniques and has a very high sensitivity.

Abstract: A high-resolution position sensor utilizes a detector having at least one flat magnetic-field-dependent resistor, in stripe form, whose ends are connectable to an output voltage, and a magnetizable device which is moveable relative to the magnetic-field-dependent resistor and has portions transverse to the direction of movement which exhibit alternately different space permeabilities, with the magnetic-field-dependent resistor extending parallel to and at a distance from said portions by the magnetic-field-dependent resistor. The magnetic field dependent resistor displays anisotropy in the longitudinal direction of the stripes. At least in the area of the magnetic-field-dependent resistor the device is magnetized in or opposite the direction of movement.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor is disclosed with which the direction of a magnetic field can be determined by using the planar Hall effect. An active layer of the sensor is made of a ferromagnetic amorphous metal which is magnetically isotropic. Thus, the magnetization in the active layer always has the direction of an external magnetic field. The developed planar Hall voltage is a measure of the direction of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Electrical contacts to or mechanical connections between components and provided by using a thin layer of an alloy consisting of metals and metalloids. Such a layer shows excellent adhesion to glass or semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: A sensor for magnetizable materials is comprised of an inductive component and an evaluating circuit. The inductive component is constructed by thin-film techniques. The core is made of a ferromagnetic amorphous metal. Such a sensor can detect the presence of magnetizable materials with very high position accuracy. The sensor is employed in revolution counters and in angular-displacement transducers.

Abstract: An optical switch comprising a controlled ferroelectric light permeable ceramic provided with electrodes. To simplify the manufacture and to realize a larger switch, the invention provides a baseplate with electrodes and the ferroelectric ceramic is secured thereon in the form of one or more strips.