Development and Comprehensive Evaluation of TMR Sensor-Based Magnetrodes

Due to their compact size and exceptional sensitivity at room temperature, magnetoresistance (MR) sensors have garnered considerable interest in numerous fields, particularly in the detection of weak magnetic signals in biological systems. The “magnetrodes”, integrating MR sensors with needle-shaped Si-based substrates, are designed to be inserted into the brain for local magnetic field detection. Although recent research has predominantly focused on giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors, tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors exhibit a significantly higher sensitivity. In this study, we introduce TMR-based magnetrodes featuring TMR sensors at both the tip and midsection of the probe, enabling detection of local magnetic fields at varied spatial positions. To enhance detectivity, we designed and fabricated magnetrodes with varied aspect ratios of the free layer, incorporating diverse junction shapes, quantities, and serial arrangements. Utilizing a custom-built magnetotransport and noise measurement system for characterization, our TMR-based magnetrode demonstrates a limit of detection (LOD) of 300pT/Hz at 1 kHz. This implies that neuronal spikes can be distinguished with minimal averaging, thereby facilitating the elucidation of their magnetic properties.