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Magnetochemical sensor and method for remote interrogation

  • US 5,821,129 A
  • Filed: 02/12/1997
  • Issued: 10/13/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for remotely monitoring the concentration of a chemical species in an environment comprising the steps of:

  • providing a magnetochemical sensing means having a magnetization vector;

    said magnetochemical sensing means being constructed from at least two magnetically-soft magnetic film layers and at least one chemical transduction layer between said magnetically-soft magnetic film layers;

    introducing said sensing means to said environment;

    providing an alternating magnetic field generating means;

    introducing said sensing means in said environment to an alternating magnetic field produced by said generating means; and

    providing a magnetic flux detection means;

    whereby a magnetic flux resulting from periodic reversal of the magnetization vector of said sensing means is detected by the detection means and the presence or concentration of said chemical species in said environment is determined based upon the magnitude of said magnetic flux; and

    whereby changes in the thickness of said transduction layer alter said magnetic switching characteristics of said sensing means dependent upon the surrounding concentration of said chemical species in said environment.

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