Jitter-less pulse generator elements using amorphous bistable wires

New jitter-less pulse generator elements are presented using amorphous magnetostrictive wires. These elements induce sharp voltage pulses with ∼ 6V/cm².Oe.turn due to the large Barkhausen jumps and with ∼ 6V/cm³.Oe due to the Matteucci effect using external ac fields of more than 0.1 Oe at frequencies between 0.01 Hz - 10 k Hz. Jitter of the pulse inducing phase is less than 1/10 and the pulse height is about twice that of Wiegand wires, respectively. The critical field of the large Barkhausen jump is controlled by heat treatment, etching, or twisting the wires. These wires are expected to be useful for high-performance pulse generator elements for high resolution rotary encorders by combining them with magnet ring, torque sensors, proximity sensors and magnetometers.