Theory of low frequency magnetoelectric coupling in magnetostrictive-piezoelectric bilayers

A theoretical model is presented for low-frequency magnetoelectric (ME) effects in bilayers of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric phases. A novel approach, the introduction of an interface coupling parameter k, is proposed for the consideration of actual boundary conditions at the interface. An averaging method is used to estimate effective material parameters. Expressions for ME voltage coefficients are obtained by solving elastostatic and electrostatic equations. We consider both unclamped and rigidly clamped bilayers and three different field orientations of importance: (i) longitudinal fields in which the poling field, bias field and ac fields are all parallel to each other and perpendicular to the sample plane; (ii) transverse fields for magnetic fields parallel to each other and perpendicular to electric fields, and (iii) in-plane longitudinal fields for all the fields parallel to each other and to the sample plane. The theory predicts a giant ME coupling for bilayers with cobalt ferrite (CFO), nickel ferrite (NFO), or lanthanum strontium manganite (LSMO) for the magnetostrictive phase and barium titanate (BTO) or lead zirconate titanate (PZT) for the piezoelectric phase.Comment: To be published in Physical Review B, August 1, 200

Microwave Magnetoelectric Effects in Single Crystal Bilayers of Yttrium Iron Garnet and Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate

The first observation of microwave magnetoelectric (ME) interactions through ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in bilayers of single crystal ferromagnetic-piezoelectric oxides and a theoretical model for the effect are presented. An electric field E produces a mechanical deformation in the piezoelectric phase, resulting in a shift dHE in the resonance field for the ferromagnet. The strength of ME coupling is obtained from data on dHE vs E. Studies were performed at 9.3 GHz on bilayers of (111) yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films and (001) lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT). The samples were positioned outside a TE102-reflection type cavity. Resonance profiles were obtained for E = 0-8 kV/cm for both in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic fields H. Important results are as follows. (i) The ME coupling in the bilayers is an order of magnitude stronger than in polycrystalline composites and is in the range 1-5.4 Oe cm/kOe, depending on the YIG film thickness. (ii) The coupling strength is dependent on the magnetic field orientation and is higher for out-of-plane H than for in-plane H. (iii) Estimated ME constant and its dependence on volume ratio for the two phases are in good agreement with the data.Comment: To be published in Physical Review