Abstract: A system for directly measuring a magnetostriction value of a magnetoresistive element includes a fixture for receiving a substrate carrying one or more magnetoresistive elements. A magnet assembly applies a first magnetic field parallel to the substrate, and a magnetic alternating field perpendicular to the substrate and parallel to magnetoresistive layers of the elements. A stress-inducing mechanism applies a mechanical stress to the substrate, the stress being oriented parallel to the substrate. A measuring subsystem measures a signal from at least one of the magnetoresistive elements.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor having at least a first and at least a second structure of soft-magnetic material that are spatially separated and define a first gap therebetween. The first and second structure of soft-magnetic material are adapted to form a gap magnetic field pointing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongation of the first gap in the vicinity of the first gap in response to an external magnetic field. Additionally, the magnetic sensor comprises at least a first magnetoresistive layered structure that is positioned in the vicinity of the first gap including inside the first gap and that is sensitive to the gap magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor having at least a first and a second magnetoresistive element being non-parallel provides determination of the direction of a magnetic field. The at least first and second magnetoresistive elements are positioned along at least a first and a second elongated gap each of which separating at least a first and a second closely spaced planar area of soft-magnetic material serving as flux guides. The flux guides provide amplification of magnetic field components being perpendicular to the elongated direction of each gap. A variety of various magnetoresitive elements such as AMR elements or GMR-multilayer systems can effectively be used in order to detect the magnitude and/or the direction of the magnetic field. By appropriately designing the geometry of the flux guides, direction dependent gain factors can effectively be realized. This allows for a large detection range and sensitivity of the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic sensor mounted on a first substrate above a magnetic medium, the magnetic medium carrying at least one magnetic track, the sensor detecting changes in the magnetic track during a relative movement between the sensor and the magnetic medium. The first substrate is provided with a second substrate rotatably engaging the magnetic medium.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor is provided having a multilayer stack comprising a plurality of ferromagnetic layers including at least one first ferromagnetic layer and at least one second ferromagnetic layer, the first and second ferromagnetic layers being spaced apart by nonferromagnetic spacer layers that antiferromagnetically couple the ferromagnetic layers. The magnetizations of the first and second ferromagnetic layers are different resulting in the multilayer stack having a net magnetic moment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetoresistive sensor comprising a multilayer stack of at least first and second ferromagnetic layers, the first and second ferromagnetic layers being spaced apart by a non-ferromagnetic spacing layer, and further comprising a ferromagnetic element creating magnetoelastic anisotropy by which a magnetic flux to which the stack is subjected is amplified when the operating temperature of the stack increases.