Magnetic thin film inductors
First Claim
1. A method of forming a magnetic thin film inductor, the method comprising:
- forming a first layer of magnetic material on a substrate;
forming a layer of conducting material overlaying the first layer of magnetic material;
patterning the conductive layer to form two or more generally parallel conducting members, wherein the two or more conductive members are positioned proximate each other; and
forming a second layer of magnetic material overlaying the conductive members and portions of the first layer of magnetic material, wherein the conductive members are encased by the first and second layers of magnetic material.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to inductors with improved inductance and quality factor. In one embodiment, a magnetic thin film inductor is disclosed. In this embodiment, magnetic thin film inductor includes a plurality of elongated conducting regions and magnetic material. The plurality of elongated conducting regions are positioned parallel with each other and at a predetermined spaced distance apart from each other. The magnetic material encases the plurality of conducting regions, wherein when currents are applied to the conductors, current paths in each of the conductors cause the currents to generally flow in the same direction thereby enhancing mutual inductance.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of forming a magnetic thin film inductor, the method comprising:
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forming a first layer of magnetic material on a substrate;
forming a layer of conducting material overlaying the first layer of magnetic material;
patterning the conductive layer to form two or more generally parallel conducting members, wherein the two or more conductive members are positioned proximate each other; and
forming a second layer of magnetic material overlaying the conductive members and portions of the first layer of magnetic material, wherein the conductive members are encased by the first and second layers of magnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of forming a magnetic thin film inductor, the method comprising:
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forming a first layer of magnetic material on a substrate;
forming a layer of conductive material overlaying the first layer of magnetic material;
patterning the conductive material to form one or more turns of a conductive member in a predefine shape;
forming a second layer of magnetic material overlaying the one or more turns of the conductive member and the first layer of magnetic material; and
removing portions of the first and second layers of magnetic material to form a central opening to the substrate, wherein the first and second layers of magnetic material encase the one or more conducting members that extend around the central opening. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. The method of claim 11, wherein the gaps are positioned generally perpendicular to a path of the one or more conducting members.
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12. A method of operating a magnetic thin film inductor in an integrated circuit, the method comprising:
coupling a current to a plurality of conducting members positioned generally parallel with each other and encased by sections of magnetic material, wherein each section of magnetic material encases a plurality of conducting members in which current is flowing in generally the same direction. - View Dependent Claims (13)
Specification