Abstract: A current sensor that is compact can detect with high sensitivity and high accuracy a magnetic field generated by a current. The current sensor has a thin film coil including turn portions extending in an X-axis direction at a second layer, and a first magnetoresistive element which includes element patterns disposed at a first layer in areas corresponding to the turn portions, the resistance value of which varies according to a magnetic field generated by a current detected of from 10 to 50 mA flowing through the turn portions. The distance between each turn portion and each element pattern is from 0.4 to 1.0 ?m. Each cross-sectional area at the turn portions is from 0.4 to 3.0 ?m2. This permits efficient detection of a magnetic field without the influence of heat generated from the thin film coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveying mechanism capable of precisely detecting a conveyance amount of an object to be conveyed with a simple configuration. A head suspension assembly includes a suspension having a pair of attachment parts and an arm extending in a U shape so as to connect the pair of attachment parts to each other and showing elasticity in a Z axis direction, and a magnetic sensor provided on the arm. The arm deflects in the Z axis direction in accordance with the magnitude of an external force pressing the magnetic sensor against a recording surface. Even in the case where the recording surface slightly fluctuates in the Z axis direction at the time of conveying operation, the contact state between the magnetic sensor and the recording surface can be maintained in the range that the arm can deflect. Consequently, magnetic information on the recording surface can be precisely read and the rotation amount of a conveying roller can be detected with high precision.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor has a needle-shaped detecting part. The needle-shaped detecting part includes a substrate cut to have a needle shape, at least one MR element formed on the substrate, at least two lead conductors formed on the substrate, one end of the conductor being electrically connected to at least one MR element, and a protection film covering the at least one MR element and the at least two lead conductors.

Abstract: A spring member used in an acceleration sensor, for supporting weight members that cooperate as magnetic field generation members or magnetic field detection sensors includes at least one strip-shaped plate spring with a fulcrum and support sections separated from the fulcrum for supporting the weight members. The at least one strip-shaped plate spring is configured to produce a bending stress in response to an external force applied so as to displace the weight members.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a housing member, first and second magnetic field generation members with weights, a spring member with a fulcrum attached to the housing member, and first and second magnetic field detection sensors attached to the housing member to face the first and second magnetic field generation members with weights, respectively. The first and second magnetic field detection sensors have two pairs of multi-layered magnetoresistive effect elements. A magnetization fixed layer is magnetically fixed along a direction parallel to a direction of displacement of the first and second magnetic field generation members with weights.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current sensor capable of sensing a current to be detected with high precision while realizing a compact configuration. The current sensor includes a first MR element including element patterns disposed at a first level, a second MR element including element patterns disposed at a second level, and a thin film coil which winds at a third level provided between the first and second levels while including winding body portions extending in an X axis direction in correspondence with the element patterns of the first and second MR elements, and which applies a current magnetic field to each of the element patterns when a current to be detected is supplied. Therefore, by using both of the first and second MR elements, the current magnetic field can be detected with high sensitivity and high precision.

Abstract: A support of a displacement-detection device for detecting a relative displacement of a movable member with respect to a fixed member includes an attaching section to be fixed to the fixed member or the movable member, a pair of first spring arms extended from the attaching section, a first turn-back section coupled to top ends of the pair of first spring arms, a pair of second spring arms extended from the first turn-back section toward a returning direction, a second turn-back section coupled to top ends of the pair of second spring arms, a pair of third spring arms extended from the second turn-back section toward another returning direction, and a sensor-fixing section coupled to top ends of the pair of third spring arms. A displacement-detection sensor is to be fixed to the sensor-fixing section. Bending angles of the pair of first spring arms and the pair of third spring arms and a bending angle of the pair of second spring arms cancel each other out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact current sensor capable of measuring a current to be detected with high precision. A current sensor includes: a first magnetoresistive element including a plurality of element patterns which extend in an X axis direction at a first level, are disposed so as to be adjacent to each other in a Y axis direction orthogonal to the X axis direction, and are connected in parallel with each other; and a thin film coil which includes a plurality of winding body portions extending in the X axis direction in correspondence with the element patterns and winds at a second level different from the first level, and applies a current magnetic field to each of the element patterns when a current to be detected is supplied. Therefore, the absolute value of the resistance change amount in the magnetoresistive element increases. While realizing a compact configuration, the current to be detected, flowing in the thin film coil can be measured with high precision.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current sensor capable of sensing a current to be detected with high precision. The current sensor includes a bus line which extends in an X direction at a first level and to which a current to be detected is supplied, a first magnetoresistive element extending in the X direction in a region corresponding to the bus line at a second level, and a second magnetoresistive element extending in the X direction in a region corresponding to the bus line at a third level. The resistance value of the first magnetoresistive element and that of the second magnetoresistive element change in directions opposite to the second level in accordance with a current magnetic field generated by the current to be detected. With the configuration, the first and second magnetoresistive elements and the bus line can be disposed close to each other. While realizing compactness, the current magnetic field can be detected with high sensitivity.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic sensor that can be reduced in size and cost. Provided is a magnetic sensor which comprises: a magnetic field detection chip having a magnetic field detection element for detecting a magnetic field and an output terminal for outputting an output signal from the magnetic field detection element; and a substrate that has the magnetic field detection chip mounted thereon, and has a connection terminal for being connected to the output terminal of the magnetic field detection chip that is formed on a mount face of the substrate. An output-terminal formed face of the magnetic field detection chip is arranged not to be in parallel to the mount face of the substrate. More specifically, the output-terminal formed face of the magnetic field detection chip is arranged almost vertical to the mount face of the substrate.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a process for producing an ether (co)polymer in which molecular weight control is easy and post treatment of the reaction liquid after polymerization (solvent recovery, etc.) is easy; a chain transfer agent to be used in the production process; and an ether (co) polymer obtained according to the production process. The process for producing an ether (co) polymer of the invention is characterized in that an ether monomer is polymerized in a solvent, in the presence of a catalyst comprising a condensate of an organotin compound and an alkyl phosphate, and a chain transfer agent comprising, as the major ingredient thereof, an aliphatic polyalcohol of the following general formula (I), thereby producing an ether (co)polymer. Cx(OH)yHz. In the formula, X indicates an integer of from 2 to 8; Y indicates an integer of from 2 to (2X+2); Z indicates an integer of 2X+2?Y; and the hydroxyl groups are bonded at any positions.

Abstract: Provided is a current sensor capable of detecting an induced magnetic field by a current to be detected with higher precision. The first and second modules are provided on facing surfaces of integrated substrates, respectively, with spacers in between. Each of the first and second modules includes an element substrate, and an MR element layer. On each of the MR elements layers, provided is an MR element having a stacked structure including a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a free layer whose magnetization direction changes according to the induced magnetic field and which exhibits an anisotropic field in a direction different from that of the magnetization of the pinned layer. The stacked structures of the MR elements are provided in a same layer level.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a conductor line, and a magnetic sensor in which resistance value changes according to a current magnetic field produced by a current to be detected flowing through the conductor line. The conductor line includes: a pair of parallel portions each having a same and uniform cross-sectional area, while extending in parallel with each other separated at a first distance therebetween; a connecting portion connecting one end of one of the parallel portions and one end of the other of the parallel portions; and a pair of terminal portions each connected to the other end of each of the parallel portions, while extending to face with each other separated at a second distance therebetween, the second distance being wider than the first distance, the terminal portions each having a larger cross-sectional area than that of each of the parallel portions.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a root apex position of a root canal of a test tooth, including applying a plurality of types of measurement signals to one of the measurement electrode and the mouth electrode; sequentially applying each of the plurality of types of measurement signals to one of the measurement electrode and the mouth electrode; sequentially detecting a plurality of electrical characteristic values between the measurement electrode and the mouth electrode based on each of the applied measurement signals using a detection unit. The methods further include obtaining a test tooth data group; comparing the test tooth data group with a plurality of model tooth data groups; detecting whether one of the plurality of model tooth data groups is in a predetermined relationship with the test tooth data group; and displaying the detected result.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes at least one permanent magnet, a spring member for supporting the at least one permanent magnet to displace the at least one permanent magnet when an external force is applied, and a magnetic field detection sensor mounted in stationary state to face the at least one permanent magnet. The magnetic field detection sensor has at least one multi-layered MR element that includes a magnetization fixed layer and a magnetization free layer. The magnetization fixed layer is magnetized in a direction parallel to a displacement detection direction. Each permanent magnet has a multi-layered structure of hard magnetic material layers and nonmagnetic material layers alternately laminated each other in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the magnetic field detection sensor and to the magnetized direction of the magnetization fixed layer.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a pair of permanent magnets, each having a surface facing a magnetic field detection sensor, arranged in parallel so that the surfaces of the pair of permanent magnets have different magnetic polarities with each other, a spring member for supporting the pair of permanent magnets to displace the pair of permanent magnets when an external force is applied, and a magnetic field detection sensor mounted in stationary state to face the pair of permanent magnets. The magnetic field detection sensor has at least one pair of multi-layered MR elements, each including a magnetization fixed layer and a magnetization free layer, the magnetization fixed layer being magnetized in a direction parallel to a displacement detection direction. The pair of permanent magnets are arranged so that a longitudinal direction of each permanent magnet is in parallel with the magnetized direction of the magnetization fixed layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin film capacitor which can improve the uniformity of the capacitance while keeping a high capacitance. The thin film capacitor has a lower electrode serving as a trench forming layer where a trench pattern is to be formed, a dielectric film so provided as to cover the lower electrode, and an upper electrode laminated in order on the entire top surface of a substrate. The trench pattern is configured to have a first pattern and a second pattern separate from the first pattern. The first pattern has a plurality of protrusions provided upright at predetermined intervals, and the second pattern has a plurality of recesses provided at predetermined intervals. Trenches are each defined by the outer wall of each protrusion and the inner wall of each recess.

Abstract: A ferrite substrate for thin-film inductors is provided by means of blending raw materials to meet a composition of di-iron trioxide (Fe2O3): 40 to 55 mol %, nickel oxide (NiO): 5 to 35 mol %, zinc oxide (ZnO): 10 to 40 mol %, and bismuth trioxide (Bi2O3): 150 to 750 ppm, or of Fe2O3: 40 to 55 mol %, NiO: 5 to 35 mol %, ZnO: 10 to 40 mol %, cupric oxide (CuO): 5 to 10 mol %, and manganese dioxide (MnO2): 0.5 to 2 mol %, and then molding and sintering the blended material, and applying hot isostatic pressing to the sintered article. A thin-film common mode filter and a thin-film common mode filter array using the ferrite substrate and the manufacturing method of the substrate are also provided.

Abstract: A head slider having a thin film magnetic head is mounted on a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly is comprised of a metal plate-like member, and a piezoelectric actuator for displacing the head slider relative to the suspension assembly. The piezoelectric actuator has a piezoelectric film, and a pair of electrode films placed so as to sandwich the piezoelectric film in between. The piezoelectric film and the pair of electrode films are formed in an order of one electrode film, the piezoelectric film, and the other electrode film on the plate-like member.

Abstract: A magnetic direction sensor can detect at higher precision the magnitude and direction of a detected magnetic field. The magnetic direction sensor has a measuring section, a storage section and an operating section. The measuring section has first and second MR elements, and detects resistance values of these elements in accordance with an attitude change of the sensor and the presence or absence of a bias magnetic field to be applied through a coil in a direction orthogonal to a magnetization direction of each pinned layer in the first and second MR elements. The storage section stores fixed data invariable in response to a detected magnetic field direction, in resistance values of these elements measured by the measuring section. The operating section calculates a detected magnetic field vector from variable data of resistance values of these elements measured by the measuring section, and fixed data stored in the storage section.