What is Hall effect?
The Hall effect is a phenomenon where a voltage is generated perpendicular to an electric current in a conductor in the presence of a magnetic field. The Hall voltage, also known as the Hall effect, is proportional to the magnetic field strength and the electric current. The Hall effect was discovered in 1879 by physicist Edwin Hall and is now widely used in a variety of applications, including the measurement of magnetic fields, the detection of electric current flow in a conductor, and the characterization of electronic materials.
In a typical Hall effect setup, a current is passed through a conductor and a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the direction of the current. The Hall voltage is measured between two electrodes placed on the conductor and perpendicular to the current and magnetic field. The Hall effect provides a useful way to measure magnetic fields without the need for direct contact with the magnetic source, making it a non-invasive method of measurement. The Hall effect is a fundamental phenomenon in electromagnetism and has important implications in a wide range of scientific and technological fields, including condensed matter physics, materials science, and electronic engineering.
Application of Hall effect
The Hall effect is a fundamental physical phenomenon that is used in a variety of applications, including:- Magnetometer: The Hall effect can be used to measure magnetic fields, making it a key component in the design of many types of magnetometers.
- Position sensors: The Hall effect can be used to accurately detect the position of an object, making it a common component in various types of position sensors.
- Current sensors: By measuring the voltage generated by the Hall effect, it can be used to determine the current flowing in a conductor, making it a useful component in current sensing applications.
- Rotary encoders: The Hall effect can be used to detect the position of rotating objects, making it an important component in the design of rotary encoders.
- Touch screens: Some touch screen devices use the Hall effect to detect the presence of a finger on the screen, enabling the touch screen to function.
- Speed and RPM measurement: The Hall effect can be used to measure the speed of rotating objects, making it an important component in speed and RPM measurement applications.