nir-vana innovation network

Nanoelectronics technologies are currently considered as one of the most promising methods for creating a new generation of non-volatile sensors.
The sensitive element of the magnetic sensor is nanoscale Al2O3 structures with quantum wells.

The principle of operation of digital magnetic threshold sensors is based on the excitation of electrons located on traps in a potential well by a magnetic field. Filling electron traps in a thin dielectric layer leads to a decrease in the electrical resistance of such a layer. In turn, when the magnetic field of the threshold value is applied, the electrons acquire enough energy to leave the electron traps. As a result, the electrical resistance of such a dielectric layer increases dramatically. The additional application of an electric field increases the energy of the electrons on the electron traps and thus allows to adjust the depth of the potential well or the threshold value for the magnetic field at which the electrons leave the potential well.

The main advantages of magnetic sensors are extremely low energy consumption, high speed of reading information. The components of the magnetic sensor use a metal-nanoscale, metal oxide-metal multilayer structure and are characterized by the capability to scale, long data retention time, and can meet the criteria of high integration density.

Performance characteristics of magnetic sensors:
* information reading voltage - 0,5 V
* the ratio of sensor resistances in the high-resistance and low-resistance state - 200
* resistance in the high-resistance state - 100..400 kOhm

The university conducted research on the influence of a magnetic field with a strength of 0,5..3 Tesla on the switching characteristics of experimental sensors.

The developed non-contacting magnetic sensors can be used in various positioning systems: for positioning the piston in pneumatic cylinders, determining the position of the cartridge in machine tools, determining the speed and angular position.

The proposal is aimed at establishing technical cooperation with private companies involved in the production of magnetoresistive sensors. The result of the collaboration is fabrication of sensors with the required parameters. The application of sensors could be compasses, navigation, and motion detectors.

Advantages & innovations

The main advantages of the developed magnetic sensors are non-volatility and long duration of information storage, low reading currents, the possibility of using integrated technologies for their manufacture, and high integration density. An analog is the Hall sensor. However, its operation requires constant flow of electric current, which makes it difficult to make it energy-efficient. Moreover, since the Hall voltage even at the highest voltage is on the order of several microvolts, the measuring circuit requires a DC amplifier, switching logic, a voltage regulator, and a Schmitt trigger. This imposes restrictions on their widespread use.

Stage of development

Prototype available for demonstration

Partner sought

The university is looking for industrial partner as part of a technical cooperation agreement for the research of parameters of the sensor and development in the field of integrated digital magnetic threshold sensors controlled by an electric field. The partnership assumed conducting joint research of the magnetic field influence on the switching characteristics of the sensors. Also conducting a series of tests of sensors and further technology development, based on the test results. The partner is required to have equipment for conducting research and testing with the impact of a magnetic field and production base for manufacturing a pilot batch of sensors.