Sub-pT magnetic field detection by tunnel magneto-resistive sensors

Abstract

We developed tunnel magneto-resistive (TMR) sensors based on magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) that are able to detect a weak, sub-pT, magnetic field at a low frequency. Small detectivities of 0.94 pT/Hz1/2 at 1 Hz and 0.05 pT/Hz1/2 at 1 kHz were achieved by lowering the resistance of MTJs and enhancement of the signal using a thick CoFeSiB layer and magnetic flux concentrators. We demonstrated real-time measurement of magnetocardiography (MCG) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of protons using developed sensors. This result shows that both MCG and NMR can be measured by the same measurement system with ultra-sensitive TMR sensors.