VIT University, Vellore Campus Materials Science Lab Manual and Record

Date: Reg. No.

Hall effect

Aim of the Experiment:

To determine the Hall coefficient of the given semiconductor crystal (Germanium)

Apparatus Required:

 Electromagnet and power supply

 Semiconductor crystal
 Current source and ammeter
 Voltmeter
 Connecting wires

Basic Theory:

Hall effect can be used to find the concentration and type (electrons/holes) of majority charge
carriers in an extrinsic semiconductor. A voltage is developed across the width of the
semiconductor sample when it is subjected to mutually perpendicular electric field and
magnetic field. This voltage is discovered to be the Hall Voltage and the phenomenon is
called as the Hall Effect, named after its discoverer. The direction of motion of the electrons
or holes can be found out using Fleming’s right hand rule.

Figure 1: Schematics of Hall effect set-up for electrons

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VIT University, Vellore Campus Materials Science Lab Manual and Record
Date: Reg. No.

The Hall-coefficient is given by,

VH t Volt.m
RH 
IB Amp.Tesla

Here, VH – Hall voltage developed, I- Current passing through the sample, B – Magnetic
field applied, t – Thickness of the semiconductor crystal

VH = VHB – VH0 (VHB – in presence of magnetic field, VH0 – zero field potential)

Initial Adjustments

1. A suitable air gap (about 1 cm) is introduced between the pole pieces of the
electromagnet.
2. Never exceed the input current (I) beyond 10 mAmp.

Procedure:

1. Connect the electromagnet to the constant current power supply.

2. Connect the widthwise contacts of the crystal to the terminals marked ‘voltage’ and
lengthwise contacts to terminals marked ‘current’ with correct polarities.
3. Switch ‘ON’ the Hall Effect set up and set the current to say 8 mAmp.
4. Switch over the display to voltage side. This is due to imperfect alignment of the four
contacts of the Hall probe and is generally known as the ‘Zero field potential’. Note
this voltage as VH0.
5. Now place the crystal mounted on the wooden stand in the space between the two
pole pieces.
6. Switch on the electromagnet power supply and adjust the current to 0.5 Amp.
Measure the Hall voltage.
7. Repeat this for 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 Amp. and measure the Hall voltage.
8. Note the magnetic fields corresponding to currents from the calibration table stick on
the constant current power supply unit.
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9. Calculate the Hall co-efficient using the given formula.

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VIT University, Vellore Campus Materials Science Lab Manual and Record
Date: Reg. No.
Table: (VH0 = ____________)

Magnetizing current Hall Voltage Magnetic Field RH

(B) ( )
(Amp.) VHB VH = VHB – VH0 ( )
( ) ( )
0.50

0.75

1.00

1.25

1.50

1.75

Mean R

Calculations:
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VIT University, Vellore Campus Materials Science Lab Manual and Record
Date: Reg. No.

Results:

The Hall coefficient of the given semiconductor crystal was found to be:
__________________________