2D ARRAYS OF QUANTUM WELL HALL EFFECT SENSORS FOR PICOTESLA MAGNETOMETRY OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC MATERIALS

Abstract

This research investigated the effect of connecting Quantum Well Hall Effect (QWHE) sensors in parallel. These parallel arrays behave as if they were a single larger sensor but with a reduced resistance. This reduction in resistance yields a lower electronic noise which was expected to reduce at a rate of 1/sqrt(N) where N is the number of sensors. This would extend the QWHE sensor's minimum detectable magnetic field range to lower levels than previously achieved and would allow them to measure below the nano/picotesla boundary. Over the course of the research parallel arrays of 4, 9, and 100 QWHE sensors were created and investigated. These demonstrated a 1/sqrt(N) reduction in electronic noise resulting in parallel arrays exhibiting noise reductions of 50%, 33%, and 10% compared to that of a single QWHE sensor. The 100 QWHE sensor parallel array was then used to measure a generated magnetic field which was 10 times smaller than what a single QWHE sensor on its own could detect using the same system. The work undertaken confirmed the expected 1/sqrt(N) noise reduction effect from placing QWHE sensors in parallel arrays and provides a robust basis for future research further extending their range, which would have significant commercial implications, and into the practicalities of larger scaled parallel arrays.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Mohamed Missous (Supervisor) & Krikor Ozanyan (Supervisor)