Sensor element and thermal flow sensor for determining a physical variable of a measurment medium

A sensor element for determining a physical, measured variable of a measured medium, the sensor element comprising:

• a planar substrate;
• a functional layer disposed on a surface of the substrate;
• a passivating layer disposed on the functional layer;
• a metal connecting layer disposed on the passivating layer such that the passivating layer is completely covered by the metal connecting layer;
• and
• a metal platelet disposed on the metal connecting layer such that no contact occurs between the passivating layer and the measured medium when the sensor element is placed in contact with the measured medium.

A thermal flow sensor, comprising:

• at least two sensor elements, each sensor element comprising:
• a planar substrate;
• a functional layer disposed on a surface of the substrate;
• a passivating layer disposed on the functional layer;
• a metal connecting layer disposed on the passivating layer such that the passivating layer is completely covered by the metal connecting layer;
• and
• a metal platelet disposed on the metal connecting layer such that no contact occurs between the passivating layer and the measured medium when the sensor element is placed in contact with the measured medium,
• wherein at least one of the at least two sensor elements is configured as a heating element for heating the measured medium at least temporarily.