Ceramic-Chromium Hall Sensors for Environments with High Temperatures and Neutron Radiation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nuclear Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Semiconductor Hall sensors face limitations in high-temperature and radiation environments.
• Nuclear fusion projects like ITER and DEMO require robust magnetic field sensors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance and radiation resistance of ceramic-chromium Hall sensors.
• To assess their suitability for demanding applications in nuclear fusion reactors.

Main Methods:

• Testing ceramic-chromium Hall sensors up to 550 °C and 14 T magnetic fields.
• Analyzing sensor sensitivity and temperature dependence.
• Simulating neutron-induced transmutation in the chromium layer.

Main Results:

• Sensitivity measured at 6.2 mV/A/T (20 °C) and 4.6 mV/A/T (500 °C).
• Weak temperature dependence above 240 °C (0.014%/°C) and magnetic field independence (0.086% deviation).
• Simulated 0.27% chromium transmutation after 5.2 years in DEMO reactor.

Conclusions:

• Ceramic-chromium Hall sensors exhibit excellent thermal stability and radiation tolerance.
• Potential for reliable magnetic sensing in high-temperature, high-neutron-flux environments.
• Suitable for critical applications in future fusion power plants.