A nonlinear, geometric Hall effect without magnetic field

The classical Hall effect, the traditional means of determining charge-carrier sign and density in a conductor, requires a magnetic field to produce transverse voltages across a current-carrying wire. We show that along curved paths -- $\mathrm{\textit{without}}$ any magnetic field -- geometry alone can produce nonlinear transverse potentials that reflect the charge-carrier sign and density. We demonstrate this effect in curved graphene wires where the transverse potentials are consistent with the doping and change polarity as we switch the carrier sign. In straight wires, we measure transverse potential fluctuations with random polarity demonstrating that the current follows a complex, tortuous path. This geometrically-induced potential offers a sensitive characterization of inhomogeneous current flow in thin films.

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