X Marks the Spot: Scanning for Magnetic Scientific Treasure Using Hall-Effect Sensors

ORAL

Abstract

Scanning Hall probe microscopy is a quantitative magnetic imaging technique that provides high spatial resolution combined with high flux sensitivity, occupying a unique niche in magnetic microscopy [S.J. Bending, Adv. Phys. \textbf{48}, 449 (1999)]. Hall sensors are useful in studying materials with microscopic or nanoscale magnetic structures, like high temperature superconductors and magnetic thin films. Development of conventional semiconductor Hall sensors has stalled due to problems with charge depletion and thermal noise. Sandhu recently produced bismuth Hall probes in an effort to avoid these effects [A. Sandhu \textit{et al}. Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. \textbf{40}, L524 (2001)]. The bismuth probes lack a good model to optimize their performance. I will propose a refinement of the current model with an increased emphasis on material parameters that can be more intuitively manipulated. I will show that the fundamental limit of the Hall probe flux sensitivity is comparable to that of a SQUID, the most sensitive known magnetic sensor. I will also propose a definition for spatial resolution to standardize characterization procedures for Hall sensors.

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Authors

  • Ricky Chu

  • Anthony Colaprete

    Triumf, Texas A\&M University, Tel Aviv University, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, Dept. of Physics, SFU, BC, Canada, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Korea, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-6507, Imago Scientific Instruments Corp., Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6 Canada, Linfield College, PNNL, University of Washington, University of Victoria, IUPUI1, Wabash, IUPUI2, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83843, Physics Department, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83843, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, Physics Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, TRIUMF / UBC, 5CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, Universit\'e Paris 11, University of Manitoba, Texas A\&M, U. Manitoba, Tel Aviv U., U. British Columbia, Universidad de Pa\'is Vasco, Department of Physics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-0903, University of Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University, NASA Ames Research Center

  • Anthony Colaprete

    Triumf, Texas A\&M University, Tel Aviv University, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, Dept. of Physics, SFU, BC, Canada, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Korea, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-6507, Imago Scientific Instruments Corp., Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6 Canada, Linfield College, PNNL, University of Washington, University of Victoria, IUPUI1, Wabash, IUPUI2, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83843, Physics Department, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83843, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, Physics Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, TRIUMF / UBC, 5CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, Universit\'e Paris 11, University of Manitoba, Texas A\&M, U. Manitoba, Tel Aviv U., U. British Columbia, Universidad de Pa\'is Vasco, Department of Physics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-0903, University of Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University, NASA Ames Research Center

  • Anthony Colaprete

    Triumf, Texas A\&M University, Tel Aviv University, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, Dept. of Physics, SFU, BC, Canada, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Korea, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-6507, Imago Scientific Instruments Corp., Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6 Canada, Linfield College, PNNL, University of Washington, University of Victoria, IUPUI1, Wabash, IUPUI2, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83843, Physics Department, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83843, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, Physics Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, TRIUMF / UBC, 5CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, Universit\'e Paris 11, University of Manitoba, Texas A\&M, U. Manitoba, Tel Aviv U., U. British Columbia, Universidad de Pa\'is Vasco, Department of Physics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-0903, University of Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University, NASA Ames Research Center

  • Anthony Colaprete

    Triumf, Texas A\&M University, Tel Aviv University, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, Dept. of Physics, SFU, BC, Canada, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Korea, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-6507, Imago Scientific Instruments Corp., Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6 Canada, Linfield College, PNNL, University of Washington, University of Victoria, IUPUI1, Wabash, IUPUI2, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83843, Physics Department, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83843, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, Physics Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, TRIUMF / UBC, 5CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, Universit\'e Paris 11, University of Manitoba, Texas A\&M, U. Manitoba, Tel Aviv U., U. British Columbia, Universidad de Pa\'is Vasco, Department of Physics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-0903, University of Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University, NASA Ames Research Center