Which method can be used to distinguish between the two types of carri...
When a conductor carrying current is placed in a transverse magnetic field, an electric field is produced inside the conductor in a direction normal to both the current and the magnetic field. This phenomenon is known as Hall Effect.
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Which method can be used to distinguish between the two types of carri...
Hall Effect:
The Hall Effect is a phenomenon in which a magnetic field applied perpendicular to a current-carrying conductor creates a voltage difference perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic field. This effect is used to distinguish between the two types of carriers in a material, namely electrons and holes.
Principle of Hall Effect:
When a current is passed through a conductor, both electrons (negatively charged) and holes (positively charged) contribute to the current. When a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the current flow, it exerts a force on the moving charges. This force causes the charges to accumulate on one side of the conductor, creating an electric field that opposes the magnetic force. This electric field generates a voltage perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic field, which is known as the Hall voltage.
Experimental Setup:
To measure the Hall voltage, a Hall probe is used. The Hall probe consists of a thin semiconductor strip with contacts on each end. The semiconductor material is chosen based on the type of carriers present in the material under study. For example, if the material has predominantly electrons as carriers, an n-type semiconductor is chosen, and if the material has predominantly holes, a p-type semiconductor is chosen.
Procedure:
1. The Hall probe is connected to a power source and a voltmeter.
2. A current is passed through the conductor in the presence of a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the current flow.
3. The voltage across the Hall probe is measured using the voltmeter.
4. The polarity of the Hall voltage determines the type of carriers present in the material.
- If the Hall voltage is positive, it indicates that the majority carriers are holes.
- If the Hall voltage is negative, it indicates that the majority carriers are electrons.
Advantages of Hall Effect:
- The Hall Effect is a non-destructive testing method that does not require physical contact with the material.
- It can be used to determine the concentration and mobility of carriers in a material.
- It can be employed in various applications such as current sensing, speed sensing, and position sensing.
Conclusion:
The Hall Effect is a reliable and widely used method to distinguish between the two types of carriers, electrons and holes, in a material. By measuring the Hall voltage, the type of carriers can be identified, providing valuable information about the electrical properties of the material.
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