The Hall effect in ice

Abstract

The Hall mobility of the proton in single crystal ice doped with HF was found to be + 4.2 X 10⁻³ cm²/V-sec at -5°C by means of an ac technique. The best run has an error of ± 1.0 X 10⁻³ cm²/V-sec; but, all of the data combined in a weighted average has an RMS deviation corresponding to 4.9 X 10⁻³ cm²/V-sec. HF concentrations of the three crystals reported were 0.63, 2.21, and 2.25 mole/liter. Surface currents, of great importance on pure ice, were found to be of negligible effect. Linearity in the applied magnetic and electric field has not been shown since the values are at the limits of the detection system; however, no false Hall signals are evident. These results contrast with the results of Bullemer and Riehl of 1 cm²/V-sec for the Hall mobility on pure ice with a dc technique. Combining our results with a protonic drift mobility of 2.4 ± 1.6 X 10⁻³ cm²/V-sec due to Bullemer, Englehardt, and Riehl would indicate that the protons could be considered quasi-free in ice.