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.

An integrated circuit has a substrate, a circuit, a core structure, a first encapsulation layer, a second encapsulation layer, and an oxide layer. The circuit includes transistors with active regions developed on the substrate and a metal layer formed above the active regions to provide interconnections for the transistors. The core structure is formed above the metal layer. The first encapsulation layer covers the core structure, and it has a first thermal expansion coefficient. The second encapsulation layer covers the first encapsulation layer over the core structure, and it has a second thermal expansion coefficient that is different from the first thermal expansion coefficient. As a part of the stress relief structure, the oxide layer is formed above the second encapsulation layer. The oxide layer includes an oxide thickness sufficient to mitigate a thermal stress between the first and second encapsulation layers.

An integrated circuit has a substrate, a circuit, a core structure, a first encapsulation layer, a second encapsulation layer, and an oxide layer. The circuit includes transistors with active regions developed on the substrate and a metal layer formed above the active regions to provide interconnections for the transistors. The core structure is formed above the metal layer. The first encapsulation layer covers the core structure, and it has a first thermal expansion coefficient. The second encapsulation layer covers the first encapsulation layer over the core structure, and it has a second thermal expansion coefficient that is different from the first thermal expansion coefficient. As a part of the stress relief structure, the oxide layer is formed above the second encapsulation layer. The oxide layer includes an oxide thickness sufficient to mitigate a thermal stress between the first and second encapsulation layers.

Fluxgate current transducer including a fluxgate device comprising a saturable soft magnetic core and an excitation coil, and a processing circuit comprising a control circuit and a voltage generator connected to the control circuit for generating an alternating current in the excitation coil, the voltage generator generating a voltage oscillating between a maximum positive voltage (+U) and a maximum negative voltage (−U) configured to alternatingly saturate the soft magnetic core. The signal processing circuit comprises an overload circuit portion connected to the control circuit, configured to generate overload currents through the excitation coil over time windows (Tn) after detection of the excitation coil current reaching positive and negative threshold currents (+S3, −S3) representative of saturation of the magnetic core, during at least one of a plurality of alternating voltage periods (P).

Axial magnetic flux sensors are described. The axial magnetic flux sensors comprise multiple substrates with conductive traces on them in some embodiments, and in other embodiments a single substrate or no substrate. When multiple substrates are provided, the substrates couple together such that the conductive traces connect to form a coil. The coil may be a continuous, multi-loop coil. When the substrates are coupled together, they may define an opening to accommodate a shaft or other piece of equipment.

Fluxgate current transducer including a fluxgate device comprising a saturable soft magnetic core and an excitation coil, and a processing circuit comprising a control circuit and a voltage generator connected to the control circuit for generating an alternating current in the excitation coil, the voltage generator generating a voltage oscillating between a maximum positive voltage (+U) and a maximum negative voltage (−U) configured to alternatingly saturate the soft magnetic core. The signal processing circuit comprises an overload circuit portion connected to the control circuit, configured to generate overload currents through the excitation coil over time windows (Tn) after detection of the excitation coil current reaching positive and negative threshold currents (+S3, −S3) representative of saturation of the magnetic core, during at least one of a plurality of alternating voltage periods (P).

Fluxgate current transducer including a fluxgate device comprising a saturable soft magnetic core and an excitation coil, and a processing circuit comprising a control circuit and a voltage generator connected to the control circuit for generating an alternating current in the excitation coil, the voltage generator generating a voltage oscillating between a maximum positive voltage (+U) and a maximum negative voltage (−U) configured to alternatingly saturate the soft magnetic core. The signal processing circuit comprises an overload circuit portion connected to the control circuit, configured to generate overload currents through the excitation coil over time windows (Tn) after detection of the excitation coil current reaching positive and negative threshold currents (+S3, −S3) representative of saturation of the magnetic core, during at least one of a plurality of alternating voltage periods (P).

Sensitivity of a magnetic sensor using the magnetic impedance effect is improved. A magnetic sensor includes: a non-magnetic substrate; a sensitive element provided on the substrate, including a soft magnetic material, having a longitudinal direction and a short direction, provided with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and sensing a magnetic field by a magnetic impedance effect; and a protrusion part including a soft magnetic material and protruding from an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the sensitive element.

Sensitivity of a magnetic sensor using the magnetic impedance effect is improved. A magnetic sensor includes: a non-magnetic substrate; a sensitive element provided on the substrate, including a soft magnetic material, having a longitudinal direction and a short direction, provided with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and sensing a magnetic field by a magnetic impedance effect; and a protrusion part including a soft magnetic material and protruding from an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the sensitive element.

Provided is a method of measuring a magnitude of magnetization of a perpendicular magnetic thin film, including: forming a stripe pattern in which a first magnetic domain that extends in a y direction and is magnetized in a z direction and a second magnetic domain that extends in the y direction and is magnetized in a direction opposite to the z direction are arranged alternately in an x direction, in a perpendicular magnetic thin film that extends in an xy plane; changing widths in the x direction, of the first and second magnetic domains by applying a magnetic field having a predetermined magnitude, in the z direction, to the perpendicular magnetic thin film; and calculating an absolute value of the magnetization of the perpendicular magnetic thin film on the basis of a ratio between the widths in the x direction, of the first magnetic domain and the second magnetic domain.