Magnetic angular position sensor enabled by spin-orbit torque

We propose a simple scheme for magnetic angular position sensor based on current-induced spin-orbit torque effect. A full range detection of 360 degrees is realized with a pair of Hall crosses made of heavy metal/ferromagnet heterostructures. The current axes of the two Hall crosses are aligned orthogonal to each other, such that when both devices are subject to a rotational in-plane magnetic field, the differential Hall voltage due to current pulses of opposite polarity exhibits a sine and cosine angular dependence on the field direction, respectively. The field rotational angle is then calculated from the sine and cosine output signals via the arctan2 function. A linear correspondence between the calculated and actual field angle is obtained in the field range of 500-2000 Oe, with an average angle error of 0.38 degrees-0.65 degrees. Published by AIP Publishing.