阅读说明：本技术 磁传感器、检测装置及检测系统 (Magnetic sensor, detection device, and detection system ) 是由 高杉圭祐 于 2020-02-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于检测试样中的检测对象物质的磁传感器具备：基板,其具有第一面及与第一面相对的第二面；磁阻效应元件,其设置于基板的第一面上,并且根据输入磁场而电阻值变化；及保护层,其覆盖磁阻效应元件上,磁阻效应元件构成为沿基板的第一面上的第一方向延伸的线状,并且具有俯视时位于外周缘的第一区域和被第一区域包围的第二区域,磁阻效应元件的第一区域上的保护层的上表面的高度比磁阻效应元件的第二区域上的保护层的上表面的高度高。(A magnetic sensor for detecting a detection target substance in a sample is provided with: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a magnetoresistance effect element which is provided on the first surface of the substrate and whose resistance value changes in accordance with an input magnetic field; and a protective layer covering the magnetoresistance effect element, wherein the magnetoresistance effect element is configured in a linear shape extending in a first direction on the first surface of the substrate, and has a first region located on an outer peripheral edge in a plan view and a second region surrounded by the first region, and a height of an upper surface of the protective layer on the first region of the magnetoresistance effect element is higher than a height of an upper surface of the protective layer on the second region of the magnetoresistance effect element.)

1. A magnetic sensor characterized in that,

the magnetic sensor is used for detecting a detection target substance in a sample, and is provided with:

a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface;

a magnetoresistance effect element which is provided on the first surface of the substrate and whose resistance value changes in accordance with an input magnetic field; and

a protective layer covering the magnetoresistance effect element,

the magnetoresistance effect element is configured in a linear shape extending in a first direction on the first surface of the substrate, and has a first region located at an outer peripheral edge in a plan view and a second region surrounded by the first region,

the height of the upper surface of the protective layer on the first region of the magnetoresistance effect element is higher than the height of the upper surface of the protective layer on the second region of the magnetoresistance effect element.

2. The magnetic sensor of claim 1,

a height from an upper surface of the magnetoresistance effect element to an upper surface of the protective layer in the first region of the magnetoresistance effect element is 40nm or more.

3. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1 or 2,

the first region of the magnetoresistive element is a region extending from an edge of the upper surface of the magnetoresistive element toward an inner portion perpendicular to the edge by 40nm or more.

4. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1 or 2,

in the first region of the magnetoresistance effect element, a height adjustment layer is provided between the magnetoresistance effect element and the protective layer.

5. The magnetic sensor of claim 4,

further comprises lead electrodes electrically connected to both ends of the magnetoresistive element in the longitudinal direction,

the height adjusting layer includes a first height adjusting layer of the first region located at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the magnetoresistance effect element and a second height adjusting layer of the first region located at both ends in a short direction of the magnetoresistance effect element,

the first height adjusting layer is constituted by the lead electrode,

the second height adjusting layer is composed of the same material as the lead electrode.

6. The magnetic sensor of claim 4,

further comprises lead electrodes electrically connected to both ends of the magnetoresistive element in the longitudinal direction,

the height adjusting layer includes a first height adjusting layer of the first region located at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the magnetoresistance effect element and a second height adjusting layer of the first region located at both ends in a short direction of the magnetoresistance effect element,

the first height adjusting layer is constituted by the lead electrode,

the second height adjusting layer is made of an insulating material.

7. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1 or 2,

the height of the first region of the magnetoresistance effect element is higher than the height of the second region of the magnetoresistance effect element.

8. The magnetic sensor according to claim 1 or 2,

the magnetoresistance effect element is a GMR element.

9. A detection device is characterized in that a detection device is provided,

the disclosed device is provided with:

a magnetic sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and

and a support portion for supporting the magnetic sensor.

10. The detection apparatus according to claim 9,

a probe capable of specifically binding to the detection target substance is present on the surface of the protective layer.

11. A detection system is characterized in that a detection device is provided,

the disclosed device is provided with:

the detection device of claim 9;

a magnetic field generating unit; and

a holding section capable of holding the sample,

the detection device is provided so that the magnetic sensor can be brought into contact with the sample held by the holding portion,

the magnetic field generating unit is provided to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor that is in contact with the sample held by the holding unit.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a magnetic sensor, a detection device and a detection system.

Background

As a quantitative immunoassay (immunoassay), radioimmunoassay (ria (radioimmunoassay), irma (irma) (immunoradiometric assay)) is known. In this method, the antigen or antibody can be detected quantitatively from the result of the specific radioactivity measurement by labeling the competitive antigen or antibody with a radionuclide. Immunoassay is a method of labeling a target object such as an antigen and indirectly measuring the target object. This method has high sensitivity and therefore contributes greatly to clinical diagnosis, but has disadvantages that safety of radionuclide needs to be ensured and that a dedicated facility and apparatus are required. Therefore, as a method for facilitating handling, for example, a method using a biosensor using magnetic beads or the like as a label has been proposed (see patent documents 1 to 4).

The conventional biosensor includes: the magnetoresistive element includes a substrate, a magnetoresistive element such as a GMR element provided on the substrate, and a protective film covering the magnetoresistive element. When a magnetic field is applied after magnetic beads having affinity for biomolecules in a sample are captured on a protective layer via the biomolecules, a stray magnetic field is generated from the magnetic beads. When the stray magnetic field is input to the magnetoresistance effect element, the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element changes, and the biomolecule can be indirectly detected based on the change in the resistance value.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

The magnetoresistance effect element in the biosensor is produced by forming a magnetoresistance effect film having a layer structure in which a nonmagnetic film is sandwiched between 2 ferromagnetic films on a substrate, and patterning the magnetoresistance effect film using a resist pattern as a mask. The magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer (free layer) is unstable at the outer periphery of the magnetoresistive element thus fabricated. Therefore, when magnetic beads are captured by the protective layer on a predetermined region including the outer periphery of the magnetoresistance effect element and a stray magnetic field generated from the magnetic beads is applied to the magnetoresistance effect element in which the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer (free layer) is unstable, noise may overlap with the output from the biosensor. As a result, there is a problem that the detection accuracy of the biomolecule is lowered.

In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic sensor including a magnetoresistance effect element, a detection device, and a detection system, which can detect a detection target substance with high accuracy using magnetic beads.

Means for solving the technical problem

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a magnetic sensor for detecting a detection target substance in a sample, the magnetic sensor including: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a magnetoresistance effect element which is provided on the first surface of the substrate and whose resistance value changes in accordance with an input magnetic field; and a protective layer covering the magnetoresistance effect element, wherein the magnetoresistance effect element is configured in a linear shape extending in a first direction on the first surface of the substrate, and has a first region located at an outer peripheral edge in a plan view and a second region surrounded by the first region, and a height of an upper surface of the protective layer on the first region of the magnetoresistance effect element is higher than a height of an upper surface of the protective layer on the second region of the magnetoresistance effect element.

The height from the upper surface of the magnetoresistance effect element to the upper surface of the protective layer in the first region of the magnetoresistance effect element may be 40nm or more, and the first region of the magnetoresistance effect element may be a region extending from an edge of the upper surface of the magnetoresistance effect element toward the inside of the magnetoresistance effect element orthogonal to the edge by 40nm or more.

The magnetoresistance effect element may be provided with a height adjustment layer between the magnetoresistance effect element and the protective layer in the outer peripheral edge region, and the magnetoresistance effect element may further include lead electrodes electrically connected to both end portions of the magnetoresistance effect element in the longitudinal direction, respectively, and the height adjustment layer may be made of the same material as the lead electrodes or an insulating material.

The outer peripheral region of the magnetoresistive element may have a height higher than that of the inner region of the magnetoresistive element, and a GMR element may be used as the magnetoresistive element.

The present invention provides a detection device, comprising: the magnetic sensor and a support portion for supporting the magnetic sensor. In the detection device, a probe capable of specifically binding to the detection target substance may be present on the surface of the protective layer.

The present invention provides a detection system, comprising: the detection device may be provided so that the magnetic sensor can be brought into contact with the sample held by the holding portion, and the magnetic field generation portion may be provided so that a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic sensor that is brought into contact with the sample held by the holding portion.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a magnetic sensor including a magnetoresistance effect element, a detection device, and a detection system capable of detecting a detection target substance with high accuracy using magnetic beads.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a biosensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a biosensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a magnetoresistive effect element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a biosensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view for explaining an outline of a method of detecting a biomolecule using a biosensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment (1) of the height adjusting layer in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment (2) of the height adjusting layer in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment (3) of the height adjusting layer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view showing one of the steps in the manufacturing process of the biosensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9B is a sectional view showing a process following the process shown in fig. 9A.

Fig. 9C is a sectional view showing a step following the step shown in fig. 9B.

Fig. 9D is a sectional view showing a step following the step shown in fig. 9C.

Fig. 9E is a sectional view showing a step following the step shown in fig. 9D.

Fig. 9F is a sectional view showing a step following the step shown in fig. 9E.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a detection system in one embodiment of the present invention.

Description of symbols:

1 … biosensor

2 … baseplate

21 … first side

22 … second side

3 … magnetoresistance effect element

31 … linear part

3A … first region

3B … second region

4 … height adjusting layer

5 … protective layer

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a biosensor for detecting a biomolecule as a detection target substance is described as an example of a magnetic sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The substance to be detected by the magnetic sensor may include, in addition to biomolecules, various Organic Compounds such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) contained in contaminated water or the like.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a biosensor according to the present embodiment, fig. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a biosensor according to the present embodiment, fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a magnetoresistance effect element according to the present embodiment, and fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a biosensor according to the present embodiment.

In the biosensor according to the present embodiment, "the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction" are defined in the several drawings as necessary. Here, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are directions orthogonal to each other in the plane of the substrate (in a plane substantially parallel to the first surface and the second surface of the substrate) in the present embodiment, and the Z-axis direction is the thickness direction of the substrate (in a direction orthogonal to the first surface and the second surface of the substrate).

The biosensor 1 of the present embodiment includes: a substrate 2 having a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 opposite to the first surface; a magnetoresistance effect element 3 provided on the first surface 21 of the substrate 2; a height adjusting layer 4 on a first area 3A, the first area 3A being located at an outer periphery of the magnetoresistance effect element 3; and a protective layer 5 covering the magnetoresistance effect element 3. In the biosensor 1 according to the present embodiment, the magnetic field H is applied to the magnetic beads 10 in which the biomolecules in the sample are collected and which are captured by the protective layer 5 on the magnetoresistance effect element 3, and the magnetic stray field H from the magnetic beads 10 is detected by the magnetoresistance effect element 3_SThereby enabling detection of biomolecules.

The substrate 2 may be a rectangular substrate on which the magnetoresistive element 3 can be mounted, and examples thereof include a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon wafer; ceramic substrates such as an AlTiC substrate and an alumina substrate; a resin substrate; a glass substrate, and the like. Depending on the type of the substrate 2, Al may be provided on the first surface 21 of the substrate 2, particularly between the first surface 21 of the substrate 2 and the magnetoresistance effect element 3₂O₃And the like (not shown). Thickness of substrate 2 from strength of substrate 2, biosensor 1From the viewpoint of reduction in thickness and weight, the thickness and weight can be set appropriately, and for example, the thickness and weight can be about 5 to 100 nm.

In the present embodiment, a spin valve GMR element or the like can be used as the magnetoresistive element 3. The magnetoresistive element 3 includes an MR laminate 60 (see fig. 3) including an antiferromagnetic layer 61, a magnetization pinned layer 62, a nonmagnetic layer 63, and a free layer 64, which are laminated in this order from the substrate 2 side. The antiferromagnetic layer 61 is made of an antiferromagnetic material, and functions to fix the magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer 62 by generating exchange coupling between the antiferromagnetic layer and the magnetization pinned layer 62. The magnetoresistance effect element 3 may have a structure in which the free layer 64, the nonmagnetic layer 63, the magnetization pinned layer 62, and the antiferromagnetic layer 64 are stacked in this order from the substrate 2 side. The magnetization Pinned layer 62 may have a laminated ferromagnetic structure of a ferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a ferromagnetic layer, and may be a so-called Pinned layer (SFP layer) in which both ferromagnetic layers are antiferromagnetically coupled, so that the antiferromagnetic layer 61 is omitted.

In the GMR element serving as the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the nonmagnetic layer 63 is a nonmagnetic conductive layer. In the GMR element, the resistance value is the smallest when the angle formed by the magnetization direction of the free layer 64 with respect to the magnetization direction of the magnetization fixed layer 62 changes, and the angle is 0 ° (the magnetization directions are parallel to each other); when the angle is 180 ° (the magnetization directions are antiparallel to each other), the resistance value becomes maximum.

The magnetoresistive element 3 is configured in a zigzag shape by arranging a plurality of linear portions 31 extending in the X-axis direction (first direction) in the Y-axis direction (second direction) and connecting end portions of the adjacent linear portions 31 with lead electrodes 6 (see fig. 4). In fig. 4, the illustration of the height adjusting layer 4 and the protective layer 5 is omitted because the drawing becomes complicated.

The GMR element as the magnetoresistance effect element 3 generally has a relatively low element resistance value, and therefore, in order to output a signal of a prescribed intensity from the biosensor 1, it is necessary to reduce the line width of the GMR element and to increase the line length. By forming the GMR element in the zigzag shape, the line width of the GMR element can be reduced and the line length can be increased in a limited region on the first surface 21 of the substrate 2. The lead electrode 6 may be formed of, for example, one conductive material or a composite film of two or more conductive materials such as Cu, Al, Au, Ta, and Ti.

In the magnetoresistive element 3 including the plurality of linear portions 31, the magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer 62 is substantially parallel to the short side direction of each linear portion 31. In the biosensor 1 according to the present embodiment, the magnetic field H in the direction perpendicular to the first surface 21 of the substrate 2 is applied to the magnetic beads 10 captured by the protective layer 5 on the magnetoresistance effect element 3, and thereby the stray magnetic field H is generated from the magnetic beads 10_SAnd applied to the magnetoresistance effect element 3 (refer to fig. 5). By applying the stray magnetic field H_SWhen applied to the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the magnetization direction of the free layer 64 changes, and thereby the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 changes. The change in the resistance value is output as a signal, and thereby the presence and amount of biomolecules in the sample can be detected in the biosensor 1.

The length of the linear portion 31 in the longitudinal direction is appropriately set in accordance with the size of the entire biosensor 1, the sensitivity required of the biosensor 1, and the like, and may be, for example, about 10 to 500 μm, and the length in the short direction may be, for example, about 0.2 to 10 μm.

In the biosensor 1 of the present embodiment, each linear portion 31 of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 has: a first area 3A located at the outer peripheral edge of each linear portion 31, and a second area 3B located inside the first area 3A and surrounded by the first area 3A. The first region 3A has a predetermined width W extending from each edge of the upper surface 32 of each linear portion 31 toward the inside perpendicular to the edge_3AThe area of (a). The width W_3APreferably 40nm or more. As will be described later, by providing the height adjusting layer 4 in the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the first region 3A is configured to be higher than the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the second region 3B. More specifically, the height H of the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the first region 3A_3APreferably 40nm or more. This means if the radius is from the end edge of the upper surface of the magnetoresistance effect element 3When the magnetic beads 10 are present in a region within 40nm, noise tends to overlap with the output of the biosensor 1. Therefore, if the width W of the first region 3A_3ABelow 40nm due to stray magnetic fields H from magnetic beads 10 captured near the first area 3A in the second area 3B_SThe noise may become easily overlapped with the output from the biosensor 1. Further, the width W of the first region 3A_3AThe upper limit of (b) is preferably less than 1/2% of the width in the short side direction of the upper surface of each linear portion 31 of the magnetoresistive element 3, and is preferably about 10% of the width in the short side direction.

In the biosensor 1 of the present embodiment, the height adjusting layer 4 is provided in the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3. By providing the height adjusting layer 4, the height of the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the first region 3A can be made higher than the height of the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the second region 3B. Since both longitudinal ends of the plurality of linear portions 31 constituting the magnetoresistive element 3 are covered with the lead electrodes 6, the height adjustment layer 4 may be provided in the first regions 3A of both longitudinal ends of the plurality of linear portions 31. In this case, the lead electrodes 6 covering both longitudinal ends of each linear portion 31 can also function as the height adjustment layer 4.

The height adjusting layer 4 may be made of the same material as the lead electrode 6, or may be made of SiO₂、Al₂O₃、Si₃N₄TiN, TaN, TaO, TiO, AlN and the like.

Thickness T of height-adjusting layer 4₄Capable of being influenced by a stray magnetic field H of the magnetic bead 10 captured by the protective layer 5 on the first region 3A of the magneto-resistive effect element 3_SIt is appropriately set to such an extent that noise does not overlap with the output from the biosensor 1. As will be described later, if the height H of the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the first region 3A_3AIf the wavelength is 40nm or more, noise hardly overlaps with the output from the biosensor 1, and biomolecules can be detected with high accuracy using the magnetic beads 10. Thus, for example, in the thickness T of the protective layer 5₅A thickness T of the height adjusting layer 4 of about 30nm₄May be 10nm or more.

The shape of the height adjusting layer 4 is not particularly limited as long as the height of the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 can be made higher than the height of the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the second region 3B. For example, the height adjusting layer 4 may be provided from the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 to the first surface 21 of the substrate 2 (see fig. 1), may have a base portion 41 rising upward from the upper surface of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 in the first region 3A, and an extension portion 42 extending from the base portion 41 toward the outside of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 in the in-plane direction, and may be provided with the insulating layer 7 between the extension portion 42 and the magnetoresistance effect element 3 (see fig. 6), or may be provided only on the upper surface of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 in the first region 3A (see fig. 7). The height adjustment layer 4 may be made of the same material as the magnetoresistive element 3 (see fig. 8). In the embodiment shown in fig. 8, the height adjustment layer 4 may be formed by reattaching the constituent material of the MR film 70 polished in the polishing process of the MR film 70 in the manufacturing process of the biosensor 1 to the upper surface of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 in the first region 3A.

In the present embodiment, the protective layer 5 covering the first surface 21 of the substrate 2, the magnetoresistive element 3, and the entire height adjustment layer 4 is a layer capable of capturing biomolecules accumulated in the magnetic beads 10. The biomolecules aggregated to the magnetic beads 10 are captured by the protective layer 5 through, for example, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond interaction, or the like with the protective layer 5. Therefore, the protective layer 5 may be made of, for example, SiO₂、Al₂O₃、Si₃N₄TiN, TaN, TaO, TiO, AlN and biomolecules may be used as the material which exhibits electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond interaction and the like. In order to facilitate capture of biomolecules, an affinity substance that can specifically bind to biomolecules to be detected may be provided on the surface of the protective layer 5, particularly on the surface of the protective layer 5 on the second region 3B of the magnetoresistance effect element 3.

Thickness T of protective layer 5₅As long as it is a stray magnetic field generated from the magnetic beads 10 bound to the biomolecules captured by the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the second region 3BH_STo the extent that it can be applied to the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the thickness T of the layer 4 can be adjusted according to the height₄Is appropriately set so that the height H of the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the first region 3A_3A(height from the upper surface of the magneto-resistive effect element 3) is 40nm or more and the height H of the upper surface of the protective layer 5 in the second region 3B_3B(height from the upper surface of the magneto-resistance effect element 3) is about 30 nm. For example, in the thickness T of the height adjusting layer 4₄A thickness T of the protective layer 5 of about 10nm₅For example, it can be set to about 30 nm.

By bringing the biosensor 1 having the above-described structure into contact with a sample containing the biomolecule 11 to be detected, the biomolecule 11 can be captured on the surface of the protective layer 5. After binding the biomolecules 11 captured by the surface of the protective layer 5 to the magnetic beads 10, the biomolecules 11 and the magnetic beads 10 captured by the surface of the protective layer 5 on the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 are selectively removed by a gradient magnetic field, washing, or the like. In the present embodiment, since the height of the surface of the protective layer 5 on the first region 3A of the magnetoresistive element 3 is higher than the height of the surface of the protective layer 5 on the second region 3B, the surface flow rate of the cleaning liquid on the surface of the protective layer 5 on the first region 3A is larger than that on the protective layer 5 in the second region 3B, and the cleaning is facilitated, or the magnetic beads 10 detached by the gradient magnetic field or the like are likely to collide. As a result, the biomolecules 11 and the magnetic beads 10 captured by the surface of the protective layer 5 on the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 can be selectively removed easily by a gradient magnetic field, washing, or the like.

As described above, by applying the magnetic field H in the direction orthogonal to the first surface 21 of the substrate 2 after the biomolecules 11 and the magnetic beads 10 remain on the surface of the protective layer 5 on the second region 3B of the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the magnetic beads 10 become magnetic, and the stray magnetic field H is generated from the magnetic beads 10_S(refer to fig. 5). By applying the stray magnetic field H_SWhen applied to the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the magnetization direction of the free layer 64 changes, and as a result, the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 changes. On magnetic beads 10 bound to biomolecules 11 captured on the surface of protective layer 5Since there is a correlation (linear correlation) between the number and the change in the resistance value, the change in the resistance value is output as a signal from the biosensor 1, and the presence and amount of the biomolecule to be detected in the sample can be detected.

Examples of the biomolecule 11 that can be detected using the biosensor 1 of the present embodiment include Nucleic acids (which may be naturally-derived or chemically-synthesized) such as DNA, mRNA, miRNA, siRNA, and artificial Nucleic acids (e.g., LNA (Locked Nucleic Acid), BNA (Bridged Nucleic Acid)); peptides such as ligands, cytokines, hormones, etc.; proteins such as receptors, enzymes, antigens, and antibodies; cells, viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.

Examples of the sample containing the biomolecule 11 to be detected include blood, serum, plasma, urine, buffy coat (buffy coat), saliva, semen, pleural effusion fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, tears, sputum, mucus, lymph fluid, ascites, pleural effusion, amniotic fluid, bladder irrigation fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, cell extract, and cell culture supernatant.

The magnetic beads 10 are only required to be particles capable of being magnetized, and may be particles made of gold, iron oxide, or the like, for example. The average particle diameter of the magnetic beads 10 may be, for example, about 5 to 250nm, and preferably about 20 to 150 μm. The average particle diameter of the magnetic beads 10 can be measured, for example, by using a laser diffraction particle diameter distribution measuring apparatus (product name: SALD-2300, manufactured by Shimadzu corporation).

The surface of the magnetic beads 10 may be immobilized with a protein such as streptavidin, or may further include an affinity substance capable of specifically binding to a biomolecule. The magnetic beads 10 preferably have a hydrophilic surface in the case of capturing a ligand as a biomolecule 11, and the magnetic beads 10 preferably have a hydrophobic surface in the case of capturing an antibody as a biomolecule 11.

According to the biosensor 1 having the above-described configuration, the height adjustment layer 4 is provided in the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3, whereby it is possible to make it difficult to capture the magnetic beads 10 on the first region 3A or to capture the magnetic beads from the second region 3AStray magnetic field H of a magnetic bead 10 captured on a region 3A_SIt is difficult to affect the resistance value change of the magnetoresistance effect element 3. Therefore, the biomolecules can be detected with high accuracy using the magnetic beads 10 without overlapping noise with the output signal from the biosensor 1.

The biosensor 1 having the above-described structure can be manufactured, for example, as follows. Fig. 9A to 9F are process flow charts showing the respective steps of the method for manufacturing the biosensor 1 according to the present embodiment in cross section.

On a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon wafer; ceramic substrates such as an AlTiC substrate and an alumina substrate; a resin substrate; al is formed in a predetermined region of the first surface 21 of the substrate 2 such as a glass substrate where the magnetoresistance effect element 3 is formed₂O₃And the like, and an MR film 70 (a laminated film in which an antiferromagnetic film, a ferromagnetic film, a nonmagnetic film, and a ferromagnetic film are laminated in this order) is formed on the first surface 21 of the substrate 2 by sputtering or the like (see fig. 9A).

Next, the first resist layer 80 and the second resist layer 81 covering the MR film 70 are sequentially stacked (see fig. 9B), and a resist pattern 84 having a stacked structure of a first resist pattern 82 and a second resist pattern 83 corresponding to the magnetoresistance effect element 3 is formed by exposure and development (see fig. 9C).

The resist material constituting the first resist layer 80 and the second resist layer 81 may be either a positive type or a negative type, but the resist material constituting the first resist layer 80 (e.g., cyclopentanones) is preferably a resist material having lower resistance to a developing solution (e.g., an organic alkali developing solution such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)) than the resist material constituting the second resist layer 81 (e.g., novolak resins). Accordingly, when the first resist layer 80 and the second resist layer 81 are simultaneously developed, the side surface of the first resist pattern 82 is etched, and a space SP surrounded by the MR film 70, the side surface of the first resist pattern 82, and the bottom surface of the second resist pattern 83 can be formed. The space SP thus formed can define a first region 3A, which is a region where the height adjustment layer 4 is to be formed, as described later. Further, etching in the in-plane direction by the first resist layer 80Etching amount to control the width W of the first region 3A_3AThe amount of etching can be controlled by, for example, appropriately setting exposure conditions.

Next, after polishing treatment is performed on the MR film 70 using the resist pattern 84 as a mask, a magnetic field is applied while a predetermined annealing treatment is performed, thereby forming a plurality of linear portions 31 of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 on the first surface of the substrate 2 (see fig. 9D). The applied magnetic field can be appropriately set so as to induce a predetermined exchange magnetic anisotropy between the antiferromagnetic layer 61 and the magnetization pinned layer 62, depending on the constituent material of each layer of the magnetoresistive element 3, the film thickness, size, shape of each layer, the effective perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy Keff given by the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy Ku and the shape anisotropy energy Kd of the magnetization pinned layer 62, and the like.

Next, the lead electrode 6 continuous between the longitudinal direction end portions of the adjacent linear portions 31 is formed by sputtering or the like of a conductive material, and the height adjustment layer 4 is formed in the first region 3A of each linear portion 31 (see fig. 9E). As described above, the resist pattern 84 having the laminated structure of the first resist pattern 82 and the second resist pattern 83 is formed on the upper surface of the linear portion 31, and the space SP is formed in a predetermined region extending from the edge of the upper surface of the linear portion 31 toward the inside (see fig. 9C). By having such a space SP, the region (first region 3A) where the height adjusting layer 4 is formed can be defined by sputtering or the like of the conductive material. That is, the width W of the first region 3A can be controlled according to the size of the space SP_3AAnd a thickness T of the height adjusting layer 4 formed in the first region 3A₄. Specifically, the width W of the first region 3A can be controlled by adjusting the size of the space SP by adjusting the thickness and width (etching amount) of the first resist pattern 82_3AAnd a thickness T of the height adjusting layer 4 formed in the first region 3A₄。

In the case where the height adjusting layer 4 is made of the same conductive material as the lead electrode 6, the height adjusting layer 4 is formed by sputtering the conductive material also in the first region 3A of each linear portion 31 at the same time as the lead electrode 6 is formed. On the other hand, when the height adjustment layer 4 is made of an insulating material, the height adjustment layer 4 can be formed by forming an insulating material in the first region 3A of each linear portion 31 before or after the lead electrode 6 is formed.

Finally, after the resist pattern 84 is stripped and removed, the protective layer 5 is formed to cover the first surface 21 of the substrate 2, the magnetoresistance effect element 3, and the height adjustment layer 4 (see fig. 9F). This enables the biosensor 1 of the present embodiment to be manufactured.

A detection device using the biosensor 1 having the above-described configuration and a detection system including the detection device will be described. Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the detection system of the present embodiment.

The detection system 100 in the present embodiment includes: a biosensor comprising a biosensor 1, a detection device having a support 110 for supporting the biosensor 1, a magnetic field generating unit 120, and a plate 130 having a plurality of reservoirs 140 for storing a sample 200 containing biomolecules.

The surface of the protective layer 5 of the biosensor 1 may be provided with a probe (e.g., a ligand) capable of specifically binding to a biomolecule in the sample 200. Needless to say, the probe may not be provided on the surface of the protective layer 5 of the biosensor 1, and the surface of the protective layer 5 of the biosensor 1 may be configured such that the protective layer 5 captures the biomolecule by, for example, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond interaction, or the like. The biomolecules in the sample 200 may be aggregated in the magnetic beads 10 (see fig. 5). The support portion 110 supporting the biosensor 1 has a plurality of long-sized portions having a size that can be inserted into each reservoir 140. The biosensor 1 is attached to the tip of each elongated portion so that the biosensor 1 can be brought into contact with the sample 200 stored in each reservoir 140 when the tip of the elongated portion is inserted into the reservoir 140. The support portion 110 is provided so as to be movable up and down, and thus, each elongated portion can be inserted into each reservoir 140 or pulled out from each reservoir 140.

The magnetic field generating unit 120 is configured by, for example, a coil or the like capable of generating a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 21 of the substrate 2 of the biosensor 1, and is provided so as to be capable of applying a magnetic field to the biosensor 1 when the biosensor 1 is brought into contact with the sample 200 stored in each reservoir 140.

In the detection system 100 having such a configuration, when the biosensor 1 is brought into contact with the sample 200 stored in each reservoir 140, biomolecules collected on the magnetic beads 10 (see fig. 5) are captured by the protective layer 5 of the biosensor 1. In this state, when a magnetic field is generated from the magnetic field generating unit 120 in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 21 of the substrate 2, the magnetic beads 10 become magnetic, and a stray magnetic field H is generated from the magnetic beads 10_S(refer to fig. 5). By applying the stray magnetic field H_SWhen applied to the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the magnetization direction of the free layer 64 changes, and as a result, the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 changes, and a signal is output from the biosensor 1. Since there is a correlation (linear correlation) between the number of magnetic beads 10 bound to the biomolecules 11 captured on the surface of the protective layer 5 and the change in the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the detection system 100 can detect the presence and amount of biomolecules in the sample based on the signal output from the biosensor 1.

In the detection system 100, the magnetic field generating unit 120 may generate a magnetic field for magnetizing the magnetic beads 10, and generate an alternating magnetic field in which the inner surface of the magnetoresistive element 3 faces (the inner surface of the XY plane faces) in a state where the biomolecules accumulated in the magnetized magnetic beads 10 are captured by the protective layer 5 of the biosensor 1. In the detection system 100 of this embodiment, first, the biosensor 1 is brought into contact with the sample 200 stored in each reservoir 140, the magnetic beads 10 are magnetized by the magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generating unit 120, and the biomolecules collected on the magnetized magnetic beads 10 are captured by the protective layer 5 of the biosensor 1. In this state, when the alternating magnetic field is generated from the magnetic field generating unit 120, a stray magnetic field is generated from the magnetic bead 10. When this stray magnetic field is applied to the magnetoresistance effect element 3, the magnetization direction of the free layer 64 changes, and as a result, the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element 3 changes, and a signal is output from the biosensor 1.

The embodiments described above are described for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiments is intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the entire surface of the conductive material (the same material as the lead electrode 6) or the insulating material constituting the height adjusting layer 4 may be formed, a resist pattern may be formed in a region corresponding to the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3, and then the height adjusting layer 4 may be formed by etching using the resist pattern as a mask. In the polishing process of the MR film 70 using the resist pattern 84 as a mask, the height adjustment layer 4 may be formed by adjusting the irradiation angle of the ion beam to reattach the constituent material of the MR film 70 to the region corresponding to the first region 3A of the magnetoresistance effect element 3. In this case, the height of the height adjustment layer 4, that is, the reattachment amount of the constituent material of the MR film 70 can be adjusted by the size of the space SP and the irradiation angle of the ion beam, which are defined by the thickness and width (etching amount) of the first resist pattern 82.