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In order to measure the magnetic field strengths, a simple gauss meter was constructed using the Texas
Instruments TL173C Hall effect gauss sensor. These sensors exploit the phenomenon known as the Hall effect
in which a steady current flowing through a conductor in a magnetic field, causes an EMF to develop at
right angles both to the current and to the field. By using certain semiconductors to carry the current
this EMF can be maximised and used for measurement of the field. Referring to the schematic, U1a splits the 12 V power supply
while U1b provides voltage gain. The trimmer R5 sets the zero. Output to meter or recorder is via
pin 2 of Pl2. Pins 1 & 4 are 0 & +12 V. Pin 3 is ground, R1,R2 =10K, R3,R4 = 10K, R5 =2K, R7 = 2K2, R8 = 5K, U1 = OPA4277
Pl1 connects to Texas Instruments gauss sensor type TL173C. A = Vcc, B = Ground, C = output.