A High-Resolution Magnetic Field Imaging System Based on the Unpackaged Hall Element Array

Abstract

We have designed a high-resolution magnetic field imaging system using 256 unpackaged Hall elements. These unpackaged Hall elements are arranged in a Hall linear array, and the distance between adjacent elements reaches 255 µm. The sensitivity of the unpackaged Hall element array can be adjusted using a computer to measure magnetic environments with different magnetic field strengths. High-resolution magnetic field images of 256 × 256 pixels can be generated by moving the array using the X–Y axis motorized rail. This spatial resolution can reach 99.61 pixels per inch (ppi). This rail allows for the spatial resolution of the system to be further increased to 199.22 ppi by using a special movement route. In the experiments, we employ this system to image magnetized metal scissors, and the result displays the structural features of the scissor surface. We also detected the magnetic suction wireless charging coil inside an Apple phone. The image obtained shows the shape of the coil and the gap between the magnets. The high-resolution magnetic imaging system displays the magnetic characteristics of the sample very well and easily obtains information about small-shaped structures and defects on the sample surface. This provides the system with potential in several fields such as quality inspection, security, biomedicine, and detection imaging.

Keywords

• high-resolution
• magnetic field imaging system
• unpackaged
• sensitivity
• Hall element
• Hall linear array