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Hall effect

Aim :- 1) To determine the Hall coefficient (RH)

2) To measure the unknown magnetic field (BY1) and to compare it with that measured by
the Gaussmeter (BY2).
Apparatus :- 1) Gauss meter with probe
2) Electromagnet
3) Constant current source to Pass current through electromagnet
4) Specimen of semi-conducting material with connecting terminals to Pass current (IX)through
it [Green wire terminals] and to measure the Hall voltage (VH) [Red wire terminals]
5) Constant current source to Pass current (IX) through semiconductor specimen
6) Milli-ammeter to measure IX
7) Voltmeter to measure Hall voltage (VH) [5,6 &7 are fixed to Hall effect board]
8) Connecting terminals.
VH t
Formulae :- 1) Hall coefficient RH = cm3 / Coulumb
I X BY
VH t
2) Magnetic induction BY 2 = Gauss
I X RH
Where VH = Hall voltage developed between the upper and lower faces of the specimen (V)
IX = Current sent through the specimen (A)
t = Thickness of the specimen (Distance between the side faces) (cm)
Theory :- As per the statement of Hall effect “when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to
a current carrying current conductor, a potential difference is developed between the opposite
faces of the conductor which is perpendicular to both current and magnetic field directions.”
Consider a uniform thick semiconductor (or) metal strip (specimen) placed with its
length parallel to X-axis. A current IX is passed through the conductor along X-axis. A magnetic
field BY is applied along Y – axis, then the charge carriers experience a force (F) perpendicular
to X-Y plane i.e. along Z- axis as per the Fleming’s Left Hand rule as shown in the figure. If
electrons are the charge carriers, they accumulate at the upper surface. This surface acquires
negative charge while the lower surface gets positive charge and some potential difference is
developed between these two surfaces. This is electrostatic field. This voltage is called Hall
Voltage (VH) and the Electric field is called Hall electric field (EH). (In this case the Hall voltage
VH is negative, this –ve sign indicates the charge carriers are negatively charged i.e. electrons. If
it is +ve the charge carriers are holes.

P.S. Brahma Chary

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These F and EH act in opposite directions. i.e. The forces due to magnetic field and
electrostatic field on charge carrier act in opposite direction. Ultimately, the net force on the
charge carrier becomes zero.
∴ q (Vd X BY) + q EH = 0 (or) (Vd X BY) + EH = 0
Here Vd is the drift velocity of the charge carrier = J/nq.
Where J = Current density q = Charge of the carrier n = No. of charge carriers/cm3
Here is another physical quantity called Hall coefficient which is equal to the reciprocal
of the amount of charge per unit volume.
1 E VH 1
Hall coefficient RH = = H & = ( )
nq J BY d ( I X A) BY

VH 1 VH t
RH = ( ) =
d ( I X td ) BY I X BY
Where t = Thickness of the specimen d = Height A = Area of cross-section

This experiment can be used to find 1) the nature of the charge carrier 2) the Hall
voltage 3) current through the specimen 4) applied magnetic field 5) Conductivity of the
conductor etc. But for the present it is confined to measure the unknown magnetic field.
Description :- This experimental set-up consists of 3 main instrumental parts.

1) Digital Gaussmeter with Hall probe :- Hall probe cable is to be plugged-in to the socket
of the digital gaussmeter and the power should be given to the gaussmeter. This probe
also operates basing on the principle of Hall effect. A small current sent through the Hall
probe develops a small Hall voltage when it is placed in a magnetic field and the Hall
voltage is amplified by an amplifier whose output is calibrated in Gauss which directly
gives the magnetic induction (B) value in the gaussmeter.

P.S. Brahma Chary

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2) Electromagnet with constant current supply :- Two insulated Copper wires are wound on
two soft iron bars whose faces are facing each other. When a D.C. current (in amperes)
from a constant current source is sent through the coils, the faces of the iron bars acts as
the two poles of a magnet (electromagnet) creating a magnetic field in between them.
The gap between poles can be varied , in general, the gap should be 1 cm.

3) Hall effect board with Hall probe semi-conductor specimen mounted on sun mica PCB :-
A specimen of rectangular semi-conductor slab in which Hall effect is to be studied is
fixed to a printed circuit board (PCB) with the help of 4 supporting terminals. Out of 4
terminals, 2 terminals are along the length and these (Middle & green) terminals are
connected to the current source of the Hall effect board. The other 2 terminals are along
the width and these (Red) terminals are connected to the Voltmeter of the Hall effect
board. The Hall effect board has 2 uses. A) To pass current (IX) through the specimen &
to measure that current. B) To measure the Hall voltage (VH) developed across the
specimen. To meet these two purposes a two mode switch is arranged to the digital meter
of the board. First mode is to measure the current (IX), sent through the specimen and the
second mode is to measure the Hall voltage (VH) developed across the specimen.
Procedure :- This experiment comprises of two parts
1) Measurement of Hall coefficient (RH)
2) Measurement of applied magnetic field (By) by using Hall effect (Application of Hall effect)
Measurement of Hall coefficient (RH)
In the 1st part give the power supply to the gaussmeter. Keep the range switch of the
gaussmeter in minimum range and adjust the zero adjustment such that the reading in the
gaussmeter shows zero. If the gaussmeter does not come to zero, then keep its value at minimum
and take it as zero error. This zero error is to be corrected while taking the final reading of
magnetic induction (BY).
Now adjust the distance between the poles of the electromagnet equal to 1cm &
pass 1A current through the electromagnet from its constant current source, then some magnetic
field (BY) is created between the poles of electromagnet. This magnetic field or magnetic
induction (BY) is measured by the gaussmeter by keeping its probe between the poles of the
electromagnet. The position of the probe is adjusted such that the flat faces of the probe are
perfectly vertical and perpendicular to the magnetic field. Then the gaussmeter shows maximum
value.

P.S. Brahma Chary

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Keep the mode switch of the current source of the semiconductor specimen in the current
mode (Here also the zero error and zero correction are to be made) and pass 0.5 mA (or) 1 mA
current (IX) through the specimen. Place this specimen between the poles of the electromagnet
such that the faces of the specimen are perfectly vertical and note the voltage (V1) developed
between the upper and lower faces of the specimen after turning the mode switch of the current
source of the specimen in to voltage mode. Now reverse the position of the specimen (up side
down and vice versa) and keep it between the poles once again and measure the voltage (V2)
developed between the upper and lower faces of the specimen.
(V2 ~ V1 )
Now calculate the Hall voltage VH =
2
Note the values of IX, V1, V2 in the table – 1 and calculate VH. Repeat the experiment for
different values of IX by increasing its value in equal intervals of 0.25 mA.

Graph :- Draw the graph by taking the current through the specimen IX on X- axis and Hall
voltage VH on Y- axis. This gives a straight line passing through the origin. Take a particular
value of IX and note its corresponding value of VH
Note the thickness (t) of the specimen which was noted on the board of the specimen.
Substitute the values of IX, VH, t and BY in the formula – 1 and calculate Hall coefficient (RH)
Measurement of applied magnetic field (By)
In the 2nd part of the experiment keep the current through the semi-conductor specimen
(IX) at constant value of 1 mA and pass 1A current through the electromagnet and measure the
voltages V1 and V2 by placing the specimen between the poles of the electromagnet & from that
calculate the Hall voltage VH (as measured in the 1st part). Also measure the magnetic induction
(BY1) with gaussmeter by placing its probe between the poles of electromagnet.
Substitute the values of IX, VH, t and Hall coefficient RH (as calculated in 1st part ) in the
formula – 2 and calculate value of applied magnetic field (BY2). The experiment is repeated by
increasing the current through the electromagnet (it means by changing the magnetic field BY ) in
equal intervals of 0.5 A. Note the values in the table – 2.
In the 2nd part the experiment the magnetic field BY is measured with gaussmeter as BY1
and also measured by using the Hall effect as BY2. These two are compared in the table – 2.

Precautions :- 1) Electromagnet power supply should be connected to a 3 pin main socket

having good earth connection.
2) Switch “ON” or “OFF” the power supply at zero current position.
3) Adjust the distance between the poles of the magnet nearly 1 cm, then only the gaussmeter
shows correct reading.

Results :-

P.S. Brahma Chary

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Table - 1
Thickness of the semi-conductor specimen t = cm.
Current through the Electromagnet = 1 A
Applied magnetic field measured with gaussmeter BY =
Measurement of Hall Voltage
Current through
VH (V)
S. No. The specimen
(V ~ V1 )
IX (mA) VI V2 VH = 2
2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Table - 2
Current through the semi-conductor specimen IX = 1 mA
Measurement of Hall
Magnetic induction
Current through

electromagnet

Voltage Magnetic induction

measured with Hall measured with
S. No.

VH (V)
(A)
the

VH t gaussmeter
effect BY 2 =
(V2 ~ V1 ) I X RH (BY1)
VI V2 VH = (Gauss)
2 (Gauss)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

P.S. Brahma Chary

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More accurate method to measure VH :- In the above two parts of the experiment i.e. while
measuring RH and BY the Hall voltage (VH) shall be measured first. In measuring VH, the
following is the accurate method. First some current (1A) is sent through the electromagnet to
create the magnetic field between the poles of the magnet. Now the current IX (1mA) is sent
through the semiconductor specimen and put the specimen between the poles and measure the
voltage (V1) developed across the specimen (after switch over the mode switch in to voltage
mode) as said above. Now the current in the specimen is reversed by interchanging the current
leads of the specimen and measure the voltage (V2). Then Hall voltage VH1 = (V1~V2)/2. Now
reverse the current direction in the electromagnet by interchanging its current leads. Once again
measure the voltages (V3 & V4) developed across the specimen by placing the specimen between
the two poles, before and after reversing the current direction in the specimen by inter changing
its current leads. Now the Hall voltage VH2 = (V3~V4)/2.

(VH 1 + VH 2 )
Then the Hall voltage VH =
2

The above method is to be adopted while measuring VH.

P.S. Brahma Chary