Hall Effect: A Phenomenon in Semiconductor Physics
by Yuvi K - December 21, 2023
Hall Effect: A Phenomenon in Semiconductor Physics
Semiconductor Physics is a study of the properties of semiconductors―materials that are neither conductors of electricity nor insulators. Hall effect is one of the most important phenomenons observed in semiconductor physics. It was first discovered in the late 1800s by an American physicist named Edwin Hall.
The Hall effect is the tendency of current-carrying charges to drift away from the centre of a conductor when a magnetic field is applied at right angles to the electric current. This causes the formation of an electric field which develops an electrostatic potential difference across the width of the conductor. As a result, an electric force pushes the current-carrying charges to one edge of the conductor. This phenomenon is called the Hall effect.
Applications and Advantages of Hall Effect
The Hall effect is widely used in many different industries for both sensors and data collection. It offers several advantages, including high accuracy, low power, robustness, low cost, and versatility. Additionally, it is a relatively simple process, requiring only a current and a magnetic field.
The Hall effect has a wide range of applications, ranging from automotive to industrial and consumer electronics. It is used to detect excessive air gap in vehicle wheel bearings, monitor the position of engine crankshaft position, measure current flow in electric drives and other motor controls, detect the magnetization of materials, and sense the magnetic field of permanent magnets.
In consumer electronics, the Hall effect is used in computer keyboards and touchpads to detect movement and input from the user. It is also used in switches, sensors, and relays. In medical equipment, the Hall effect is used in magnetic resonance imaging to create images of the body’s internal organs.
Hall Effect Working Principle
When a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to an electric current flowing in a conductor, it creates an electric field known as the Hall electric field. This electric field creates an electrostatic potential difference across the width of the conductor that causes the current to move towards one edge of the conductor. This phenomenon is known as the Hall effect.
The mathematical equation for the Hall effect is as follows:
| Symbol | Term | Hindi translation |
|---|---|---|
| I | Electric current | विद्युत धारा (Vidyut dhaar) |
| B | magnetic field | चुंबकीय क्षेत्र (Chumbakeey Kshetra) |
| VH | Hall Voltage | हॉल वोल्टेज (Haal Voltyej) |
| T | Thickness | मोटाई (Motai) |
| n | Charge carriers per unit volume | इकाई थर्मिक क्षेत्र में चार्ज कैरियर्स (Ekahi Tharmik Kshetra Me Charch Keryaars) |
Hall Voltage = (I x B x T) / (n x e)
Where I is the electric current, B is the magnetic field, VH is the Hall voltage, T is the thickness, n is the charge carriers per unit volume, and e is the charge of an electron.
Conclusion
Hall effect is an important phenomenon observed in semiconductor physics. It has a wide range of applications in various industries. It is used to detect the magnetization of materials, sense the magnetic field of permanent magnets, measure current flow, and detect excessive air gaps in vehicle wheel bearings.
The Hall effect offers several advantages, including high accuracy, low power, robustness, low cost, and versatility. It is a relatively simple process, requiring only a current and a magnetic field. Thus, it is widely used in a variety of devices, from automotive to industrial and consumer electronics.
