Using Ferromagnetism and Giant Magnetoresistance To Sense IR

Infrared (IR) sensors of a proposed type, and integrated-circuit imaging devices containing planar arrays of such sensors, would be based on a combination of (1) temperature-dependent ferromagnetism and (2) the use of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) to detect changes in ferromagnetism. Unlike many infrared sensors, the proposed sensors would not have to be cooled to very low temperatures; indeed, they could be designed for optimum performance at room temperature.