Amorphous Magnetic Layer Current Sensor for High Precision Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current current sensors face challenges in achieving high precision across a wide dynamic range due to limitations in magnetic field sensitivity and noise reduction, particularly in applications like smart meters and Home Energy Management Systems.
Innovation Solution
A current sensor design incorporating a stacked body with a first magnetic layer, a second amorphous magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, where the second magnetic layer's boron concentration is between 5% and 35 atomic percent, enhances magnetoresistance effects and reduces noise, improving sensitivity and linearity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional magnetic layers are used in current sensors, then the sensor can detect current, but the sensitivity and linearity are insufficient across wide dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite magnetic layer structure consisting of multiple magnetic layers (first magnetic layer, second magnetic layer, third magnetic layer) with different properties. The first and third magnetic layers have high magnetization, while the second magnetic layer has low magnetization, creating a composite structure that achieves both high sensitivity and linearity in current detection across wide dynamic range
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the magnetic stacked body are assigned different magnetization characteristics. The first and third magnetic layers are designed with high magnetization for strong signal detection, while the second magnetic layer is designed with low magnetization to reduce magnetic coupling between adjacent layers, thereby improving linearity and reducing noise
2Measurement precision
If magnetic field sensitivity is increased, then detection capability improves, but noise increases reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The composite magnetic layer structure with alternating high and low magnetization layers creates a configuration where the low magnetization second layer acts as a noise barrier, reducing magnetic coupling and noise propagation between the high magnetization first and third layers, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The second magnetic layer with low magnetization serves as an intermediary layer between the first and third magnetic layers. This intermediate layer reduces direct magnetic coupling and noise interaction between the high magnetization layers, thereby reducing noise while preserving detection capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves improved sensitivity and reduced noise, enabling high-precision current sensing across a wide dynamic range, enhancing the performance of current sensors in applications such as smart meters and Home Energy Management Systems.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetization of the second magnetic layer changes according to a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the power line
Implementation Method 2
enhances magnetoresistance effects and reduces noise, improving sensitivity and linearity
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a current sensor includes a first sensor element and a power line. The first sensor element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first stacked body. The first stacked body is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a first intermediate layer. The second magnetic layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second electrode. The first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first intermediate layer is nonmagnetic. A magnetization of the second magnetic layer changes according to a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the power line. At least a portion of the second magnetic layer is amorphous.