A magnetoresistive sensor includes a substrate and a layer of ferromagnetic material
formed over the substrate. A plurality of nonmagnetic regions is formed within
the layer of ferromagnetic material. Magnetic flux paths form around each one of
the plurality of nonmagnetic regions when the layers of ferromagnetic material
is not in a magnetic field. The flux paths are contained completely with the layer
of ferromagnetic material and do not penetrate into the plurality of nonmagnetic
regions. The sensor also provides for detecting a change in resistance through
the layer of ferromagnetic material as a function of a magnetic field applied to
the layer of ferromagnetic material.
