A new sensor design developed by NIST uses a thin layer of ruthenium to improve the performance of magnetic sensors. This layer sits between a nickel/iron film, which reacts to magnetic fields, and an iridium/manganese film, which stabilizes the sensor. The ruthenium layer helps control how the sensor responds to magnetic fields by adjusting the interaction between these two films. It acts as a buffer, allowing for fine-tuning of the sensor’s sensitivity and reliability.
The ruthenium layer can be as thin as a few atoms and is used to adjust how easily the sensor’s magnetic material responds to external fields. Thicker layers make the sensor more sensitive, while thinner layers allow it to respond to a wider range of fields. This design avoids the need for extra manufacturing steps and can be integrated into existing production processes. The new sensor was used in a high-resolution forensic tape analysis system for the FBI, showing its practical application in real-world devices.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2007/08/nano-layer-ruthenium-stabilizes-magnetic-sensors
Keywords: electron spins, ruthenium buffer, sensor sensitivity
