Substrate Thickness Research Articles

Novel nanocomposite based microstrip patch antenna for C and X band applications

Microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) are essential components in modern wireless communication systems, and their design is significantly influenced by the properties of the materials used. In this study, we investigate the impact of incorporating composites of fumed silica within RT-Duroid dielectric material on the performance of microstrip patch antennas. The effective permittivity of the composite is calculated using the Maxwell-Garnett model. Through systematic theoretical studies, we analyze the performance of composite antennas with varying composite volumes and dielectric substrate thicknesses. Utilizing HFSS 13.0 software, we optimize the substrate thickness and antenna dimensions to design MPAs resonating at 10 GHz. The proposed antenna, with dimensions of 11.85 mm by 9.044 mm for the patch and 50 mm by 50 mm for the substrate, exhibits superior performance compared to conventional antennas, achieving a higher gain of 10 dB, good efficiency of 96 % along with favorable return loss characteristics. The frequency ranges of the C and X bands are better suited for military applications, weather radar, satellite communication, air traffic control, maritime radar, and remote sensing. This research underscores the significance of incorporating composite materials into MPA design to enhance performance and broaden application potential in modern communication technologies.

Microstructural and optoelectronic properties of sputtered Al:ZnO films and Al:ZnO/Cu bilayer structures: Effects of substrate and Cu thickness

In this study, using a multi-source confocal radio frequency magnetron sputtering system, we synthesized aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) single layers and AZO/Cu bilayers on glass and crystalline quartz substrates with a constant AZO thickness of 65 nm and variable Cu bottom layers with a thickness of 4–13 nm. The microstructural, morphological, optical, and electrical characteristics of all samples were investigated using a variety of spectroscopic techniques. The X-ray diffraction results show that all films prepared on both substrates have a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure and exhibit the preferred orientation along the (002) plane with some microstructural variations. The atomic force microscopy images revealed that the thickness of the Cu layer and substrate type greatly affect the films' topography and surface roughness. The transmittance spectra indicate that the single AZO layer on both substrates possess the highest average visible transmission; however, all the samples deposited on glass substrates show greater transmittance than that on quartz. Photoluminescence analysis put into evidence a decrease in ultraviolet emission with Cu thickness for both substrates, with intensities varying according to substrate type. Hall Effect measurements reveal that all samples have n-type conductivity as well as that Cu thickness has a significant impact on their electrical characteristics. Moreover, a higher value of the figure of merit is achieved with the AZO/Cu bilayer structure grown on a glass substrate with 13 nm of Cu layer thickness.

Parameters of differential equations in four-flux and two-flux models approximated for scattering and absorption results on solar thermal collector black paints

Abstract The intrinsic and extrinsic scattering and absorption coefficients of a thin black paint substrate used as a solar thermal collector, deposited on a thick glass substrate, were obtained in an approximated single-layer method, using the new solved equations recently determined from the collimated and diffuse differential equations of the four-flux model, for the intrinsic coefficients, and considering the differential equations of the two-flux model with total light intensities, for the extrinsic coefficients. In a first step, the optical constants were determined from the measurements of regular transmittance and specular reflectance, fitting them to the collimated transmittance and reflectance solutions of the four-flux model. In a second step, the intrinsic coefficients were obtained from the diffuse transmittance and reflectance measurements, considering four forward scattering ratios (for collimated and diffuse light intensities and for forward and backward light directions) and two average crossing parameters (for forward and backward light directions). In a third step, the extrinsic coefficients were obtained, using the new solved equations recently determined considering the total differential equations as the sum of the collimated and diffuse differential equations. Due to the approximated single-layer method, a simple rule of three was applied to the intrinsic and extrinsic results, relating the extinction coefficients calculated from the optical constants to those calculated from the collimated differential equations. The same external and internal diffuse interface reflectance was observed by integrating the collimated interface reflectance up to the critical angle of total internal reflection.

Optical constants and thickness gradients for light intensities in glass substrate layers and for complex electric fields in indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductor thin film layer, using Bode and Nyquist wavelength-dependent diagrams

Abstract The optical constants of a thin film layer of transparent conductive indium tin oxide (ITO), deposited on a thick glass substrate (G), were obtained for an ITO-G sample using a multilayer matrix method by fitting the regular transmittance and specular reflectance measurements to the collimated equations of the four-flux model, once the optical constants of the glass substrate layer had previously been obtained from a G sample of a single glass substrate layer. The accuracy of the results was validated using a feedback system called the three-extinction matching requirement, that is, obtaining the same extinction coefficients from the optical constants and from the forward and backward collimated differential equations of the four-flux model. To calculate the extinction coefficients of the glass from optical constants, the compression of the wavelength of the incident light in the glass substrate and in the thin ITO film layer was demonstrated, with a thickness less than the wavelength of incident light. The thickness gradients of the forward and backward collimated light intensities, on the glass substrate of the ITOG sample, were compared with those obtained for the single-layer G sample. Then, the thickness gradients for the complex forward and backward electric fields of the ITO thin film layer were obtained and plotted using spectral magnitude and phase Bode plots and new Nyquist plots, i.e. imaginary versus real parts, dependent on wavelength.

Influence of the Substrate Thickness in Elastoplastic Deformation of a Microprofile under Orthogonal Constrained Loading

Influence of the Substrate Thickness in Elastoplastic Deformation of a Microprofile under Orthogonal Constrained Loading

A Dual- Linearly polarized Ku/K Band Reflectarray for Broadcast and Fixed Satellite Services

A novel single layer, dual polarized dual band reflectarray is constructed by implementing independent control over each band. The downlink element in the Ku-band employs a vertical slot embedded with semi-circular rings, featuring 841 elements, and is complemented by two delay lines attached to the outer ring to ensure orthogonal polarization. The uplink element containing 841 elements is formed by 90° rotation of downlink element to avoid mutual coupling effect. The application of the degree of freedom (DOF ) technique enables the attainment of phase ranges of 720° and 840° within the unit cell for both frequency bands. Thus, the total 1682 elements etched over the Taconic TLx-09 substrate with 0.8mm thick substrate of aperture dimensions of 16.5 × 16.5 mm is designed, simulated, and fabricated for Ku and K band applications. The centre-fed reflectarray upon construction exhibits a measured gain of 26.5dB and 25.7 dB and 1dB gain bandwidth of 26.4% for Ku band and 11.7% for K band respectively. Moreover , the proposed reflectarray demonstrates a maximum aperture efficiency of 30.4 at 12.8 GHz and 19% at 23 GHz. Thus, the proposed dual-polarization reflectarray covers the downlink frequencies for the broadcasting satellite communication services like DTH connectivity and uplink frequencies for earth exploration satellite services like forecast of dangerous weather conditions like drought, heavy rain.

Komposisi Jenis dan Tutupan Lamun di Perairan Dusun Pandanan, Sekotong, Lombok Barat

Seagrasses can live on muddy, sandy and broken coral or rock substrates. Seagrass ecosystems are often found in areas with thick sandy mud substrates. Seagrass beds are one of the aquatic ecosystems that have high water productivity, and have a vital role for the associated biota that live around them, both as a feeding ground, nursery ground, and spawning ground. The purpose of this study was to see the species composition and cover of seagrass species in the waters of Pandanan Hamlet, Sekotong, West Lombok. Seagrass data collection was carried out at low tide, using the line transect method by making the observation path into three replicates with a length of 100 m each, a distance of 50 m each transect. The 50 cm quadrat frame is placed on the right side of the transect with a distance of 10 m between one quadrant and the other so that the total quadrant on each transect is 11 quadrants. The results showed that the composition of seagrass species found in the waters of Pandanan Hamlet, Sekotong, West Lombok as many as 7 (seven) seagrass species, namely: S. isoetifolium, C. rotundata, E. acoroides, T. hemprichii, H. ovalis, H. uninervis and H. pinifolia with Seagrass Cover in the Waters of Pandanan Hamlet Sekotong, Lombok is included in the category of moderate and rare with the percentage of seagrass species S. isoetifolium (2.78%-9.36%), C. rotundata (1.39%-6.91%), E. acoroides (7.03%-14.75%), Thalassia hemprichii (2.31%-9.66%), H. ovalis (2.5%-0.98%), H. uninervis (0.038%) and H. pinifolia (4.64%). The index of importance at the 2 stations had different values. The type of E. acoroides has the highest INP value at both stations, with values of 61.54% and 62.06% respectively. Ecological Index in the Waters of Pandanan Hamlet, Sekotong, West Lombok includes: Seagrass Diversity Index with the value obtained (1.43 and 1.65). Diversity Index with values (0.8 and 0.92) and Dominance Index with values (0.26 and 0.22).

The Effect of Brand, Thickness, and Abutment Substrate on the Masking Ability of Monolithic Zirconia Ceramics

The goal of the present study was to determine the minimum thickness of monolithic zirconia required to achieve an acceptable masking ability and to examine how brand, thickness, and abutment substrate influenced that masking ability (∆E). Seventy-two A2-shade monolithic zirconia disc specimens in various thicknesses (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm) were fabricated using three brands: Nacera® Pearl 1, DD cubeX2 and XTCERA TT. A spectrophotometer was used to determine the CIELab values of the specimens, which were placed on a D4-shade resin composite and white acrylic (control) substrates. The ∆E was calculated and compared with the acceptable (AT = 5.5) and perceptible (PT = 2.6) tolerance thresholds. Further investigation was conducted on 72-disc specimens from the monolithic zirconia brand with the best masking ability on D3-shade resin composite and semi-precious alloy. Using two-way ANOVA, the interaction of thickness, brand, and abutment substrate on ∆E was investigated. Nacera® Pearl 1 at 1.5 mm thickness was sufficient to achieve AT on a D4-shade resin composite substrate, whereas 2.0 mm of DD cubeX2 and XTCERA TT were required. Nacera® Pearl 1 further testing on two other substrates requires thicknesses of 1.5 mm and 1.0 mm, respectively. Only the Nacera® Pearl 1 group achieved PT on D3- and D4-shade resin composite (2.0 mm) and semi-precious alloy substrates (1.5 mm). Brand, thickness, and abutment substrate influenced the ∆E (p < 0.001). To achieve an acceptable masking ability, the minimum thickness of monolithic zirconia tested on D3- and D4-shade resin composite and semi-precious alloy should be around 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

Ferroelectric Order Evolution in Freestanding PbTiO3 Films Monitored by Optical Second Harmonic Generation.

The demand for low-dimensional ferroelectric devices is steadily increasing, however, the thick substrates in epitaxial films impede further size miniaturization. Freestanding films offer a potential solution by eliminating substrate constraints. Nevertheless, it remains an ongoing challenge to improve the stability in thin and fragile freestanding films under strain and temperature. In this work, the structure and ferroelectric order of freestanding PbTiO3 (PTO) films are investigated under continuous variation of the strain and temperature using nondestructive optical second harmonic generation (SHG) technique. The findings reveal that there are both out-of-plane and in-plane domains with polarization along out-of-plane and in-plane directions in the orthorhombic-like freestanding PTO films, respectively. In contrast, only out-of-plane domains are observed in the tetragonal epitaxial PTO films. Remarkably, the ferroelectricity of freestanding PTO films is strengthened under small uniaxial tensile strain from 0% up to 1.66% and well-maintained under larger biaxial tensile strain up to 2.76% along the [100] direction and up to 4.46% along the [010] direction. Moreover, a high Curie temperature of 630K is identified in 50nm thick freestanding PTO films by wide-temperature-range SHG. These findings provide valuable understanding for the development of the next-generation electronic nanodevices with flexibility and thermostability.

Optical properties of NiO films: Effect of nitrogen-doping, substrate temperature and band gap estimation using machine learning

In this study, nickel oxide (NiO) thin films were synthesized on glass substrates using RF magnetron sputtering with varying nitrogen (N) doping ratio and substrate temperatures to explore modifications in their structural, morphological, and optical properties. The films were prepared using a high-purity NiO target under controlled sputtering conditions. Structural analysis by X-ray diffraction revealed an improvement in crystallinity in the (200) direction with increasing N ratio. In contrast, higher N ratio led to the suppression of (111) and (220) peaks, indicating a significant influence of N on the crystal structure and orientation. The films’ thickness and morphology, examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, showed uniform and homogeneous growth with smooth surface topologies. Optical properties, assessed by UV–Vis-NIR spectrophotometry, demonstrated a decrease in transmittance and a redshift in the absorption edge with increased N doping, corresponding to a narrowing of the energy bandgap from 3.7 eV to 3.45 eV. This bandgap reduction is attributed to N incorporation substituting oxygen sites, introducing defect states within the band structure. Additionally, the impact of substrate temperature on film growth enhanced crystallinity and orientation along the (111) plane at higher temperatures, with a simultaneous reduction in film thickness due to increased adatom mobility and potential thermal decomposition. The evaluation of Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) and Ridge Regression (RR) models revealed their effectiveness in predicting band gap values for thin films at varying substrate temperatures and thicknesses. While RR excelled in predicting a band gap of 3.6 eV for a film with a substrate temperature of 24 °C and a thickness of 112.7 nm, KRR outperformed in predicting a band gap of 3.65 eV for a film with a substrate temperature of 24 °C and a thickness of 107 nm. These findings elucidate the dual influence of N doping and substrate temperature on enhancing the functional properties of NiO thin films, promising for applications in optoelectronic devices and gas sensors.

Incoherent phenomena in anisotropic periodic structures: from modeling to experimental demonstration.

The periodic structures are widely studied in numerous optical applications and there is a number of good tools for numerical modeling of such a structures (for example rigorous coupled-wave analysis, finite-difference time-domain, finite element method etc.). However, when it comes to the modeling of incoherent effects in many cases of practical interest, the current methods are not rigorous enough or depend on computationally demanding averaging of coherent response. In this paper, we present a novel approach to modeling of incoherent effects in structures with lateral periodicity based on scattering matrix formalism, as a way to describe optical response of a structure, and on application of incoherent wave summation in the form of infinite geometric series and generalized Mueller matrix calculus. This method can be combined with any of the existing coherent methods of modeling periodic structures and it offers significantly faster computational performance than partially coherent/incoherent methods based on averaging. It is compared with other methods for modeling of incoherent effects and also with experimental spectroscopic data. This method is then used to explain phenomena emerging from the complex interaction between diffraction grating and thick substrate.

A compact ultra-wide band fractal antenna for breast cancer detection applications

A compact ultra-wide band antenna for breast cancer detection in bio-medical applications is presented in this study. The proposed antenna is printed on 1.6 mm thick FR4 substrate with a dielectric constant of 4.6 and tangential loss of 0.02. The uniform ground plane on the substrate (PCB) has been altered by shortening its length and making minimal changes to its side edges in order to improve overall bandwidth. The suggested antenna is functioning from 3 to 10.2 GHz which covers the ultra-wide band recommended by Federal Communication Commission (FCC) over the 10 dB impedance bandwidth. Additionally, the antenna has a significant overall gain of 3.2 dBi and an overall radiation efficiency of between 89 % and 92 %. Furthermore, the antenna maintains a uniform radiation pattern across its operating band. Parametric research has been conducted on the different parameters to tune the antenna into the required operating band, and placement analysis of the antenna is then investigated by assessing specific absorption rate (SAR).

Design, fabrication, and physical properties analysis of laminated Low-E coated glass for retrofit window solutions

The ever-growing demand for improved energy efficiency in buildings has stimulated a stream of research focused on innovative retrofit energy solutions. Laminated low emissivity (Low-E) type coated glass components can be used in retrofitting window systems for enhancing energy savings provided by the insulating properties of glass laminates containing these heat-mirror-type coatings. In particular, custom-designed double-silver low-E coatings embedded into the laminate structure (directly facing the polymer interlayers during and after the lamination) are of interest due to being protected from environmental exposure, enabling easy component transportation, storage, and window retrofits. In this study, we provide some details on the design of several reflector-type solar control low-E coatings of high environmental stability and demonstrate the feasibility of their fabrication on 3 mm thick glass substrates, followed by the lamination. We describe the optical properties of laminated structural glass components of potential usefulness for retrofitting window applications in new and existing buildings. Several thin-film coatings of a low-E type are deposited by using the RF magnetron sputtering technique and then subjected to lamination by using transparent epoxy and PVB materials, to be protected by a clear glass cover layer. The optical performance characteristics of these coatings (measured before and after lamination) elucidate the effects these lamination materials and cover glass thickness have on the final optical properties (leading to a slight reduction in the optical transmission in the visible spectral range, by around 8–10 % while retaining low thermal emissivity across the infrared spectral range). The outcomes of this research, if industrialized could contribute significantly to the development of sustainable building components and practices, and to acheiving a reduction in building energy consumption by way of enabling window retrofit operations at potentially reduced costs.

Metasurface frequency reconfigurable antenna optimizes using neural network algorithm for wireless applications

Abstract As the demand increases in the field of wireless communication system, the interest of researchers increases to develop and analyzes the antenna for these applications. This article present metasurface (MS) frequency reconfigurable antenna (FRA) which is optimized using neural network (NN) approach. The designed structure is a multilayer consists of three-layer patch antenna placed under the MS structure. The resonating patch is a rectangular shaped and substrate is a circular shaped show as to reduce the geometry of the antenna. The proposed structure is fabricated on FR-4 substrate of thickness 1.6 mm. The MS structure consists of split ring rectangular (SRR) strips made up of copper. The antenna reconfigured the operating frequency from 4.85 to 7 GHz having overall bandwidth of 2.15 GHz with wide range of tuning. The central frequency of rectangular patch antenna is 6.15 GHz. The MS is analyzed by using effective parameters i.e., effective permittivity (ε r) & effective permeability (μ r) and it is observed that the MS is behaving as a metamaterial in the desired range of frequency. The reconfigured operating frequency (ROF) is found at the anticlockwise rotation angles of 0°, 30°, 600 and 90°. The realized gain and radiation efficiency are calculated at each ROF. The validation of proposed MS based FRA is carried out first by simulating using Ansys HFSS and then measured inside the anechoic chamber. The proposed antenna is optimizes using NN model which shows minimum error during analysis and synthesis process.

Effects of the shielding gas and substrate thickness on dilution and microstructure of Inconel® 625 MIG/MAG welded coatings

Effects of the shielding gas and substrate thickness on dilution and microstructure of Inconel® 625 MIG/MAG welded coatings

Functionally graded La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ hollow fiber membrane for oxygen separation: fabrication, upscaling, and stability

La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) hollow fiber membranes are usually fabricated through slurry spinning process followed by one-step sintering. While high oxygen permeation performance can be obtained, the designs lack sufficient mechanical strength, limiting further upscaling for stack and module development. This research studies a functionally graded hollow fiber LSCF membrane with a three-layer structure, i.e., thick LSCF-ZnO substrate/dense thin film LSCF/porous, thin LSCF catalyst layer. The thick substrate provides sufficient mechanical strength to support the membrane while facilitating facile gas diffusion with embedded open microchannels. The dense thin film LSCF separation layer decreases bulk diffusion resistance. The porous thin LSCF catalyst layer increases the reaction area for surface exchange process. The synergetic combination of the three layers enables to improve both mechanical strength and permeation performance. A stack with three parallelly-connected hollow fibers is assembled to demonstrate its potential capability for upscaling. Permeation performance is systematically measured and accelerated long-term stability is conducted for both the single membrane and the stack. The single membrane and the stack obtain oxygen permeation flux of ∼1.9 and 1.1 ml⋅cm−2⋅min−1 at 900 °C, respectively, and demonstrate excellent stability and robustness during a long-term test of ∼400 h and ∼20 thermal cycles between 600 and 900 °C. Membrane samples are characterized before and after the test. Experimental data are analyzed, and fundamental mechanisms are discussed.

Dosimetric parameters and radiation tolerance of epitaxial diodes for diagnostic radiology and computed tomography beams

A custom-made EPI diode-based dosimetry system is thoroughly characterized for diagnostic radiology and computed tomography beams. The diode has a thin n-type epitaxial layer (50 μm) grown on a thick (300 μm) Czochralski silicon substrate. It operates as an online radiation dosimeter in the short-circuit current mode. In this case, the key dosimetric quantity is the dose rate, correlated with the output current from the diode exposed to radiation. The corresponding collected charge (the integral of the current signal) is proportional to the dose. Irradiations are performed with the Pantak-Seifert 160HS Isovolt X-ray generator previously standardized by Radcal RC6-RD and RC3-CT ionization chambers. The data gathered with all radiation quality beams confirm the linearity with dose and dose rate despite a slight energy dependence. Independently from the beam energy, the dosimetric parameters of repeatability (<0.3%), long-term stability (0.4%/year), angular response (<3%, ± 5°), dose rate dependence (<3%), and signal-to-noise ratio (≥4900) fully adhere to the IEC 61674 recommendations. Compliance with the accumulated dose stability requirement (1.0%/40 Gy) is almost achieved with the pristine diode and effectively accomplished through radiation conditioning with 60Co gamma rays. Under the latter condition, the lifespan of the diode can easily reach 15 kGy, assuring the high reusability of this diode for diagnostic radiology and computed tomography dosimetry before requiring recalibrations.

Optimization design and experimental study for flexible fan-shaped interdigital guided wave transducer

To address the challenges of difficult attachment to a rigid substrate and large-area damage scanning on planar and curved panel structures, a novel flexible fan-shaped interdigital guided wave transducer (FFIGWT) is proposed. It consists of a fan-shaped interdigital electrode and a Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) flexible smart material substrate. The positive interdigital electrode is divided into inner and outer parts, enabling the FFIGWT to simultaneously excite and receive guided waves. Numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the influence of PVDF substrate thickness on wave excitation and reception, as well as the effect of the ratio between the inner and outer radius of the FFIGWT on excitation intensity. The results demonstrate that the reception and excitation of guided waves by the FFIGWT improve with increasing PVDF substrate thickness. The ratio between the inner and outer radius of the transducer's interdigital electrode is positively correlated with excitation intensity. Additionally, the transducer's beam divergence angle approaches the designed angle span of the FFIGWT with an increasing ratio between the inner and outer radius. Experimental validation confirms that the FFIGWT exhibits significantly enhanced wave excitation and reception capabilities in the corresponding FFIGWT region, making it suitable for composite material detection applications.

A metasurface-based high gain circularly polarized patch antenna with wide global bandwidth

This paper introduces a novel metasurface (MS)-based circularly polarized (CP) microstrip patch antenna. Utilizing a square microstrip patch with plus- and diagonal-shaped slots on a 1.6 mm thick FR-4 substrate as the host antenna, the design incorporates a 4 × 4 square array MS on another 1.6 mm thick FR-4 substrate, separated by a 3.4 mm thick Teflon layer. The antenna offers a −10-dB impedance bandwidth from 5.45 to 7.55 GHz and an axial ratio (AR) bandwidth between 6.02 and 6.35 GHz, achieving a maximum realized gain of 6.3 dBic at 6.25 GHz, exhibiting right-handed circular polarization (RHCP). An equivalent circuit model is developed to validate impedance response, and the fabricated antenna closely matches simulated results. With a low profile of 0.42 λ o × 0.42 λ o × 0.033 λ o at 6.25 GHz, this CP antenna is suitable for applications like satellite communication for their uplinks and WLAN application.

Flexible anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors for novel magnetic flux leakage testing capabilities

Rigid magnetic field sensors such as anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR), giant magnetoresistive (GMR) and Hall sensors have been used for years and have become industry standard for electromagnetic non-destructive testing (NDT). Recent technological developments in the field of flexible electronics allow for the fabrication of reshapeable magnetic field sensors on flexible substrates via thin-film deposition or printing. The magnetic properties of these sensors have comparable characteristics to industry-standard rigid magnetic field sensors, with the added ability of adapting to the surface of complex components and scanning in contact with the sample surface. This improves defect detectability and magnetic signal strength by minimizing the scanning lift-off (LO) distance. In this article flexible AMR sensors mounted on a rotative mechanical holder were used to scan a semi-circular ferromagnetic sample with 3 reference defects via magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing, thus demonstrating the applicability of this type of sensors for the scanning of curved samples. In order to benchmark the performance of these sensors in comparison to industry standard rigid magnetic field sensors, a ferromagnetic sample with 10 reference defects of different depths was scanned employing flexible AMR and rigid GMR sensors. Defects with depths ranging from 110μm up to 2240μm were detected with an signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 2.7 up to 27.9 (for flexible AMR sensors) and 6.2 up to 72.3 (for rigid GMR sensors), respectively. A 2D magnetometer mapping of the sample with a spatial scanning step of 10×50μm2 (flexible AMR) and 16×100μm2 (rigid GMR) was obtained. The results show that this type of sensor can be used for high-resolution and high-detail mapping of defects on the surface of planar and non-planar ferromagnetic samples since the scanning lift-off distance is equal to the substrate thickness of 20μm for in-contact scanning. The SNR comparison between flexible and rigid sensors shows that the performance of the flexible AMR sensors employed is not very far behind the performance of the rigid GMR sensors used.