Asymmetric magnetoimpedance effect in CoFeSiB amorphous ribbons by combination of field and current annealing for sensor applications

•Asymmetric magnetoimpedance effect is investigated in current-field annealed Co68.15Fe4.35Si12.5B15 amorphous ribbons.•The highest field sensitivity of MI was found with DC annealing current.•Magnetoimpedance profiles for the samples annealed in vacuum show symmetric MI characteristics.•The highest magnetic field sensitivity of 101%/Oe achieved for DC annealing current.

The roles of applied magnetic field during the current annealing of Co68.15Fe4.35Si12.5B15 soft magnetic amorphous ribbons are studied. Samples heat treated by Joule heating effect in open air and simultaneously in the present of longitudinal external magnetic field showed asymmetric magnetoimpedance (AMI) behavior. The AMI profile can be related to the exchange bias interaction between the soft magnetic amorphous material and a harder magnetic crystalline phase formed on the surface of the ribbon. This effect stems from thermal effect, the transverse Oe field generated from the annealing current which is thickness dependent and the longitudinal external field. The single peak AMI with the field sensitivity of 101%/Oe for DC annealing current is achieved. Our results could address a simple way to achieve the AMI response toward developing high sensitive magnetic field sensors.