Structure and 3-D Model of a Solid State Thin-Film Magnetic Sensor

Abstract

Vector 3-D magnetic sensors form the basis of measurement devices for magnetic field mapping and magnetic tracking. Typically, such sensors utilize specific constructions based on split Hall structures (SHS). An SHS-based 3-D magnetic sensor is a bulk semiconductor integrated structure with 8 or more contacts. Combining current flow directions through the contacts and measuring the corresponding voltages, one defines projections BX, BY, BZ of the magnetic field vector. This work presents a novel design of 3-D solid state magnetic sensors that requires no insulation by p-n junctions and can be implemented by thin-film technology traditionally used for fabrication of Hall sensors including those based on InSb films. Besides, a SPICE model of the 3-D magnetic sensor is provided, which helps design the proposed sensor and refine techniques of its calibration.