Analysis of a field emission magnetic sensor with compensated electron beam deviation

Several results have been reported so far as concerns magnetic sensors based on field emission arrays. In this paper, a new concept magnetic sensor is proposed and its operation is analysed using a numerical model. The sensor comprises an array of integrated electron emitters each one formed by a tip at voltage V/sub t/, and two deflection electrodes at potentials +V/2 and -V/2. The deflection of the beam due to the Lorentz force can be compensated by a suitable choice of the electric field formed between the electrodes. In this way, a correlation V(B) between the voltage V applied between two electrodes and the magnetic field B to be measured is obtained.