Transverse thermoelectric response of a tilted metallic multilayer structure

Thermoelectric fields transverse to an applied temperature gradient have been observed in artificially created tilted multilayer structures. Copper-constantan multilayer structures were prepared by sintering of a compressed stack of copper/constantan/copper foils and by cutting the stack obliquely to its axis. Tilted multilayer structures represent a new class of thermoelectric devices, and applications for detection of light are demonstrated.