Spin-Structured Inductor Element for High Inductance at Small Size

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inductor elements face challenges in miniaturization, as they rely on coupling electric current to magnetic energy, limiting further reduction in size while maintaining high inductance values.

Innovation Solution

The development of an inductor element that utilizes a metal medium with a non-collinear spin structure, where an electric current is applied to interact with the spin structure, generating an emergent electric field and allowing for miniaturization while maintaining high inductance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional inductor elements are miniaturized, then device size is reduced, but inductance value decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidinductance value
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental operating principle from conventional electromagnetic induction to quantum spin Hall effect, utilizing topological insulator materials with specific spin-orbit coupling properties. This parameter change enables inductance generation without traditional magnetic cores, achieving miniaturization while maintaining high inductance values through quantum mechanical effects rather than classical electromagnetic fields.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electromagnetic system of conventional inductors (winding coils, magnetic cores) with a quantum electronic system based on topological insulators and spin Hall effect. The inductance is generated through quantum mechanical spin-orbit coupling in the topological insulator material, substituting classical electromagnetic field generation with quantum electronic effects, thereby enabling significant size reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional inductor elements maintain high inductance value, then device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductance valueVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the operating principle from classical electromagnetic induction to quantum spin Hall effect in topological insulators. By utilizing materials with strong spin-orbit coupling and topologically protected surface states, the system generates inductance through quantum mechanical effects that are not constrained by the physical dimensions of magnetic cores, enabling high inductance in miniaturized form factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining topological insulator materials with specific crystalline structures and surface states. These composite materials exhibit enhanced spin Hall angles and topologically protected transport properties, enabling high inductance generation in extremely small volumes through the synergistic effects of material composition and quantum mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach enables the miniaturization of inductor elements, achieving similar or higher inductance values in a significantly smaller size compared to conventional devices, with the inductance value being inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area.

Implementation Method 1

an inductor element comprising a metal medium with a spatial arrangement of ordered spins such that the ordered spins have a non-collinear spin structure when traced in a direction, wherein an electric current is applied through the metal medium in such a way that the electric current has a projection component in the direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpin Hall Effect:

Implementation Method 2

the spin structure of a skyrmion lattice produces a magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of a topologically insulated material of the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmergent Electric Field:

Data Source

PatentEP3832676B1Inductor element and apparatus including same
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 RIKEN CO LTD
  • EP3832676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3832676B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3832676B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to obtain an inductor element advantageous for miniaturization, an inductor element 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a metal medium 2 in which ordered spins are spatially arranged so as to have a non-collinear spin structure when traced in a certain direction. In the inductor element, an electric current I is applied through the metal medium so as to have a projective component of the direction. Preferable examples of the non-collinear spin structure for the metal medium include a spiral structure and a cycloidal structure.