Characterisation and Modelling of a Magnetic Biosensor

This paper presents the characterisation and modelling of a magnetic biosensor included on a portable hand-held microsystem for biomolecular recognition (DNA hybridisation, antibody antigen interaction, etc.). The system, which is based on a fully integrated magnetoresistive biochip, uses magnetic field arraying of magnetically tagged biomolecules and can potentially be used to detect single or few biomolecules. The biochip is based on a matrix array of magnetic tunnel junctions and thin-film diodes which are here characterised and modelled. Experimental results show the proposed models may be used for biochip characterisation and the matrix structure is adequate for the envisaged microsystem