Magnetic detection apparatus with a tunnel magnetoresistive element
First Claim
1. A magnetic detection apparatus comprising:
- an element having a magnetic tunnel junction structure configured such that an insulating layer is sandwiched between a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization direction and a free layer having a magnetization direction that varies freely;
a magnet disposed in order to apply a magnetic field to said element; and
a rotating magnetic moving body having an irregular shape that induces change in said magnetic field,said magnetic detection apparatus being configured such that when, using said element as a reference, said magnetization direction of said pinned layer is set as an X axis direction, a direction perpendicular to said X axis direction and perpendicular to a plane of said pinned layer is set as a Z axis direction, and a direction perpendicular to an XZ plane constituted by said X axis direction and said Z axis direction is set as a Y axis direction, said magnetic moving body, which is disposed opposite said element in said Y axis direction via a gap relative to said element, rotates about a rotary shaft such that a part thereof disposed opposite said element moves in a parallel direction to said X axis direction, whereby said magnetic detection apparatus detects said irregular shape of said part disposed opposite said element from a magnetic resistance that varies as said magnetic moving body rotates, whereinsaid magnet is polarized in said Z axis direction, and disposed in said Z axis direction via a gap relative to said element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Included are an element having a magnetic tunnel junction structure configured such that an insulating layer is sandwiched between a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization direction and a free layer having a magnetization direction that varies freely, a magnet, and a rotating magnetic moving body having an irregular shape that induces change in the magnetic field. When, using the element as a reference, the magnetization direction of the pinned layer is set as an X axis direction, a direction perpendicular to the X axis direction and perpendicular to a plane of the pinned layer is set as a Z axis direction, and a direction perpendicular to an XZ plane constituted by the X axis direction and the Z axis direction is set as a Y axis direction, the magnetic moving body is disposed opposite the element in the Y axis direction via a gap relative to the element.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A magnetic detection apparatus comprising:
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an element having a magnetic tunnel junction structure configured such that an insulating layer is sandwiched between a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization direction and a free layer having a magnetization direction that varies freely; a magnet disposed in order to apply a magnetic field to said element; and a rotating magnetic moving body having an irregular shape that induces change in said magnetic field, said magnetic detection apparatus being configured such that when, using said element as a reference, said magnetization direction of said pinned layer is set as an X axis direction, a direction perpendicular to said X axis direction and perpendicular to a plane of said pinned layer is set as a Z axis direction, and a direction perpendicular to an XZ plane constituted by said X axis direction and said Z axis direction is set as a Y axis direction, said magnetic moving body, which is disposed opposite said element in said Y axis direction via a gap relative to said element, rotates about a rotary shaft such that a part thereof disposed opposite said element moves in a parallel direction to said X axis direction, whereby said magnetic detection apparatus detects said irregular shape of said part disposed opposite said element from a magnetic resistance that varies as said magnetic moving body rotates, wherein said magnet is polarized in said Z axis direction, and disposed in said Z axis direction via a gap relative to said element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification