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Measuring magnetic dipole fields using Hall effects sensors

This article has been downloaded from IOPscience. Please scroll down to see the full text article. 1991 Eur. J. Phys. 12 146 (http://iopscience.iop.org/0143-0807/12/3/009) View the table of contents for this issue, or go to the journal homepage for more

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Measuring magnetic dipole fields using Hall effect sensors


L Benadero, J A Gorri, J Villar, A Albareda, E Toribio and R Perez
Department of Applied Physics, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Apdo 30002, 08080 Barcelona, Spain Received 2 November 1990
Abstract. The way in which a Hall effect transducer is made appropriate for measuring magnetic fields is described. The aim of this is lo provide a thermally well compensated probe that g i v e us precise orientation and positioning for taking measurements. This probe is used in the checking of far fields generated by magnetic

dipoles.

Resmneo. Se describe la forma de adecuar un iransductor de efecto Hall para la medida de campos magneticos. El objetivo es conseguir una sonda compensada t.h"camente, que permita realizar medidas con orientacion y pasicionamiento precisos. Esta sonda se emplea en la medida del campo lejano creado par dipolos magneticos.

1. Introduction

The introduction into the market of linear output Hall effect transducers as integrated circuit chips has made experimental arrangements possible in the undergraduate laboratory (Bender 1986, Kromminga and Van Baak 1988). Because of its low cost and high availability, we have used the UGN 3501 integrated chip made by Sprague. What the sensor actually does is to measure one component of the magnetic field. This allows us to verify the vectorial character of B. Furthermore, in our experiments we point out the advantages of the decomposition o f B into its polar components B, and Bo (and its variations according to r and O), instead of its rectangular components. This kind of decomposition is useful for measuring the far field created by a magnetic dipole (Blum and Roller 1982, pp 1157, 1197). It is possible to check the far field approximation, understand its signficance and see when it becomes valid by means of the experiment assembly. In addition, this experiment is more significant due to the fact that this approximation is the same as that of the far field created by an electric dipole. First, the probe design and the auxiliary circuitry are described. Then, the experimental results are given.

2. Experimental set-up
The simple use of this sensor by undergraduate students poses certain practical problems that must be resolved.

(i) The sensor must be easy to use for precise positioning and orientation. One must take into account the location of the sensor's active point. We have located this point by concentrating the field of a magnet with an iron nail. This is of great importance in the application in which we are interested. (ii) Drifts caused by thermal variations due to fluctuations in air temperature and the handling of the probe must be minimized. (iii) Adjustments, such as the calibration ofthe continuous component, must be carried out. Calibration is necessary if absolute measurements are required; for example, to calculate the magnetization of the magnet. These problems have been resolved by placing the sensor next to a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistance inside a brass capsule especially designed for this purpose. In this way we achieve thermal compensation and solve the problem of positioning and orientation. A circuit, which iseasy to construct, has been designed to carry out thermal compensation, calibration and zero adjustment. Figure 1 shows a diagram of the brass capsule. The NTC resistance is placed at the narrow end and the Hall sensor on top of it. The dimensions are such that when the lid (which is 2mm thick and is fastened with brass screws) is put on, its surface touches the surface of the chip, assuring a precise orientation and a good thermal dissipation. Both elements are soldered to a small piece of printed circuit that is housed in the remaining cavity. The output leads are also soldered to it, giving rigidity and avoiding accidental short circuits. There are two holes in the base ofthe capsule which allow it to he adapted lo the support.

Measuring magnetic dipole fields

147

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COIL mAME

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Figure 3 Probe support for . coil axis.

measurements along t h e

Figure 1. Diagram oilhe brass capsule. Dimensions

are

given in millimetres. Figure 2 shows the specially designed circuit. It consists of just one stage of amplification using an operational amplifier such as a CA3140 or equivalent. The sensitivity should be adjusted by means of the rcsistance R,. Then R2 and R, (both have to De approximately equal) must be varied so as to minimize the thermally caused drift. The potentiometer R, permits the external zero adjustment when no magnetic field is applied, the circuit itself is a low pass filter, whose cut-off frequency can be selected using the capacitor C. However, the very low frequency noise (type Ilf) is the most limiting factor in the sensitivity of the equipment. The noise level is of the order of 0.5G. The sensitivity has been adjusted to a factor of 10mVG-'. o The probe support, see tigure 3, is useiuj fr taking field measurements along the coil axis. This support has a salient base which slots into the coil frame so that the active point of the probe can be easily situated at the centre of the coil. The distance between the coil centre and the probe can be varied by displacing the support along a graduated ruler. The probe support is
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figure 4. However, as we move away from the coil, difficulties arise as the magnetic field becomes too small to measure with precision. If we bear in mind that the design of the capsule gives us accurate positioning, it is advisable lo use a magnet instead of a coil to check the far field approximation. The latter is valid even at short distances from the magnet. Therefore, the magnetic field is usually more intense than when a coil is used. The magnet and the probe are positioned with the aid of a sheet of paper or cardboard that has k e n previously marked so that the students can obtain these measurements easily. The magnet we have used is made of ferromagnetic ceramic and its volume is 6 . 3 c " . In figures 5 and 6 the graphs of the field components, radial B, and transversal Bo, as functions of r and 0 are shown. In this way the characteristic dependences according lo
Figure 4.

Magnetic field along the coil axis: (a) theoretic

value. (b) lar field approximation. The coil is R = 4.6cm and 300 turns. x . typical student data.

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field, simply by turning it whilst keeping the position of the active point fixed.

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3. Experlmental results
The measurement of the field generated by the coil along the ads (Blum and Roller 1982, p,p 1194-1 197) shows that Bvanes approximately as r - , a s shown in,
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Diagram of the circuit.

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Figure 6.

(degrees)

Measurements of the magnetic field components 8,and 8,generated by the magnet as a function of r. x = 8,(r.O = 00) 0 = 8, (r.O = W7.

Measurement of the magnetic field components 8,and 8,generated by the magnet as a function o 8. x = 8, (r 5cm. 8): A = 8, ( r = 5cm. 8) f The full curves are theoretical.

r-' and sin 'p or cos 'p are obtained. This experiment

shows the students the structure ofthe dipole far field, with little effort and in an easily perceptible way. The absolute character of the measurements allows us to check relationships such as that of the magnetic field in the coil centre by using the circular current loop approximation (Golden er al 1988). It is also possible to calculate the magnetic dipole moment and, therefore, the magnetization of the magnet (presuming that the latter is uniform). For the magnet referred to above, a dipole moment m = I.OAm-' is calculated; this corresponds to a magnetization M = 1.6 x IO'Am-'.
4. Concluslon

capsule allows undergraduate students to verify the far magnetic dipole field pattern.

References
Bender P A 1986 Measuring magnetic fields with an IC chip in the introductory lab Am. I . Phys. 54 89-90 Blum R and Roller D E 1982 Physics (San Francisco: Holden-Day) Golden L B, Klein J R and Tongson L 1988 An introdudory lowcost magnetic field experiment Am. J.
Phys. 56 846-8

Kromminga A J and Van Baak D A 1988 Solid-state magnetic-field transducers and Ampere's law Am. 1.
Phys. 56 612-1

Putting the Hall effect sensor in the specially designed

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