Tapered structure suitable for microthermocouples microelectrodes, field emission tips and micromagnetic sensors with force sensing capabilities
US5986261A · kind A · utility
15Cited by
3References
30Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/879
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tapered, nonconductive structure (10) having a hollow core (18) and a conical tip (14) includes a metal wire (16) within the core (18). The wire (16) is sealed within, and is exposed at the end (22) of, the tip (14). An electrically conductive or semiconductive layer (24) on the exterior of the tip (14) form a point thermocouple contact with the wire. The tip (14) may be fabricated, for example, by placing a metal wire (16) within a tube (12), and heating and pulling the tube (12) to produce two tapered micropipettes. Thereafter, a thin metal or semiconductor film (24) is evaporated onto the outer surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.