Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for a Strain-based Magnetometer

A design for a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) magnetometer will be presented. The operating principle exploits the sensitivity of SWCNT electrical properties to strain. The sensor design consists of a free-standing mat of SWCNTs that is mechanically coupled to a magnetically responsive, high aspect-ratio Fe component. During operation, torque on the Fe needle will transduce ambient magnetic field strength into an electronic signal. Preliminary results of precursor SWCNT material will be presented, including magnetic field- and temperature-dependence of electron transport measurements, and implications for magnetometer operation will be discussed.