5.2.2 Magnetic Field

Figure 5.3 shows how the drain currents are modified when a magnetic field is applied. The three-drain MAGFET is oriented in the same way as the two-drain MAGFET (see 4.2.2). The drain biases are set to 1.0 V, the gate is set to 4.95 V, and the source and substrate are set to 0.0 V. Whereas the current at Drain 1 increases as the magnetic field increases in the negative direction, the current at Drain 3 decreases proportionally. Once the magnetic field is reversed in sign, the opposite effect is observed.

Figure 5.3: Simulated drain currents versus
magnetic field at 300 K.

Theoretically, as a result of the Lorentz force, the Drain 1 collects some of the deflected current lines from Drain 2, while Drain 3 losses current lines that are in turns collected by Drain 2. As a general result, the current in Drain 2 remains practically constant. A close up to the central drain current shows some changes that are attributed to a magnetoresistance effect.

Figure 5.4 shows the differential current as a function of the magnetic field. In this case the differential current is taken between Drain 1 and Drain 3.

Figure 5.4: Simulated differential current versus magnetic field at 300 K.