Abstract: A thermoelectrically cooled GMR sensor having a first thermoelectric layer with an array of nanowires, wherein the nanowires include a diameter of about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers. A plurality of alternating layers of magnetic and nonmagnetic material are positioned over and extend the nanowires to form a GMR assembly. A second thermoelectric layer is positioned over the GMR assembly and extends the nanowires, such that the nanowires have a length of between about 100 nanometers and about 500 microns. Conductors are placed in contact with the first and second thermoelectric layers for connecting the thermoelectric layers to a voltage source.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 2010
Date of Patent:
May 14, 2013
Assignee:
Louisiana Tech University Research Foundation, a divison of Louisiana Tech University Foundation, Inc.
Inventors:
Despina Davis, Ramya Bellamkonda, Raja Sekharam Mannam