A novel comb-shaped magnetoresistive sensor with magnetic flux concentrators for improved sensitivity

We investigate the impact of the geometric overlap between a current-in-plane giant magnetoresistive (GMR) element and magnetic flux concentrators (MFCs) on the performance of GMR sensors using the finite element method. The simulations revealed that while an overlap between the MFCs and GMR element can increase their magnetostatic coupling, it can also decrease the magnetic sensitivity of the GMR sensor due to a magnetic shielding of GMR element by MFCs. To avoid the adverse effects of GMR and MFC overlapping, we propose a comb-shaped GMR element with alternating notches and fins. Our simulations indicate that the fins of the comb-shaped GMR element provide a strong magnetostatic coupling with the MFCs while confining the electric current within the main body of the comb-shaped GMR element, leading to improved sensitivity.