A magnetic sensor that is easy to ensure the height of the yoke and that is also easy to guide magnetic flux in the direction in which the magnetic field sensing film detects a magnetic field is provided. The magnetic sensor includes first magnetic field detection element 21 that has first magnetic field sensing film 38 that detects a magnetic field in first direction X, and first yoke 23 that includes first portion 23a that is located on a side of first magnetic field sensing film 38 with respect to first direction X, and second portion 23b that is in contact with first portion 23a in direction Z that is orthogonal to first direction X. The average dimension of second portion 23b in first direction X is larger than the average dimension of first portion 23a in first direction X.

A radio frequency (RF) weak magnetic field detection sensor includes a ferromagnetic core, a pickup coil disposed to surround the ferromagnetic core, a substrate that includes an opening, a core pad connected to the ferromagnetic core and a coil pad connected to the pickup coil, and an insulating tube interposed between the ferromagnetic core and the pickup coil. The insulating tube includes a bobbin around which the pickup coil is wound, and a core hole formed to pass through the bobbin and configured to accommodate the ferromagnetic core.

Disclosed herein is an inductance element that includes a base body, a saturable magnetic thin-plate core provided on the base body, and a coil conductor wound around the saturable magnetic thin-plate core. The saturable magnetic thin-plate core includes a first section linearly extending in a first direction and a second section having a meander-shaped, and the coil conductor is wound around the first section of the saturable magnetic thin-plate core.

Disclosed herein is an inductance element that includes a base body, a saturable magnetic thin-plate core provided on the base body, and a coil conductor wound around the saturable magnetic thin-plate core. The saturable magnetic thin-plate core includes a first section linearly extending in a first direction and a second section having a meander-shaped, and the coil conductor is wound around the first section of the saturable magnetic thin-plate core.

A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field conversion unit, a magnetic field detection unit, and a magnetic film. The magnetic field conversion unit includes a yoke that receives an input magnetic field and generates an output magnetic field. The input magnetic field contains an input magnetic field component in a direction parallel to Z direction. The output magnetic field contains an output magnetic field component in a direction parallel to X direction. The magnetic field detection unit includes a magnetic detection element that receives the output magnetic field and generates a detection value corresponding to the output magnetic field component. The magnetic film absorbs part of magnetic flux resulting from a noise magnetic field, which is a magnetic field in a direction to which the magnetic detection element has sensitivity and which is other than the output magnetic field component.

A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field conversion unit, a magnetic field detection unit, and a magnetic film. The magnetic field conversion unit includes a yoke that receives an input magnetic field and generates an output magnetic field. The input magnetic field contains an input magnetic field component in a direction parallel to Z direction. The output magnetic field contains an output magnetic field component in a direction parallel to X direction. The magnetic field detection unit includes a magnetic detection element that receives the output magnetic field and generates a detection value corresponding to the output magnetic field component. The magnetic film absorbs part of magnetic flux resulting from a noise magnetic field, which is a magnetic field in a direction to which the magnetic detection element has sensitivity and which is other than the output magnetic field component.

A method of forming a sensor array comprising a series connection of parallel GMR sensor stripes that provides a sensitive mechanism for detecting the presence of magnetized particles bonded to biological molecules that are affixed to a substrate. The adverse effect of hysteresis on the maintenance of a stable bias point for the magnetic moment of the sensor free layer is eliminated by a combination of biasing the sensor along its longitudinal direction rather than the usual transverse direction and by using the overcoat stress and magnetostriction of magnetic layers to create a compensatory transverse magnetic anisotropy. By making the spaces between the stripes narrower than the dimension of the magnetized particle and by making the width of the stripes equal to the dimension of the particle, the sensitivity of the sensor array is enhanced.

A method of forming a sensor array comprising a series connection of parallel GMR sensor stripes that provides a sensitive mechanism for detecting the presence of magnetized particles bonded to biological molecules that are affixed to a substrate. The adverse effect of hysteresis on the maintenance of a stable bias point for the magnetic moment of the sensor free layer is eliminated by a combination of biasing the sensor along its longitudinal direction rather than the usual transverse direction and by using the overcoat stress and magnetostriction of magnetic layers to create a compensatory transverse magnetic anisotropy. By making the spaces between the stripes narrower than the dimension of the magnetized particle and by making the width of the stripes equal to the dimension of the particle, the sensitivity of the sensor array is enhanced.

A current sensor is configured to measure current flowing in two bus bars aligned in an X direction and extending parallel in a Y direction. A sensing element is arranged such that its magnetism sensing direction is oriented in the X direction on a line passing through the bus bar in a Z direction. A pair of shield plates sandwiches the bus bar and the sensing element therebetween in the Z direction. The bus bar is located between the sensing element and the lower shield plate. The sensing element is located closer to the upper shield plate than to the lower shield plate. At least one of a thickness and a magnetic permeability of the magnetism shield plates is greater in the upper shield plate than in the lower shield plate.

A current sensor is configured to measure current flowing in two bus bars aligned in an X direction and extending parallel in a Y direction. A sensing element is arranged such that its magnetism sensing direction is oriented in the X direction on a line passing through the bus bar in a Z direction. A pair of shield plates sandwiches the bus bar and the sensing element therebetween in the Z direction. The bus bar is located between the sensing element and the lower shield plate. The sensing element is located closer to the upper shield plate than to the lower shield plate. At least one of a thickness and a magnetic permeability of the magnetism shield plates is greater in the upper shield plate than in the lower shield plate.