Calculations of giant magnetoelectric effect in multiferroic composites of rare-earth-iron alloys and PZT by finite element method

Magnetoelectric effect of laminated composites of rare-earth-iron alloys (Terfenol-D) and lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) is calculated by using finite element method. The dependences of the magnetoelectric response on the geometric configuration, the orientations of magnetostriction and polarization, and the applied magnetic field are presented for various sandwiched composites in details. The giant magnetoelectric effect predicted for the Terfenol-D/PZT composites is in agreement with predictions by a recent analytical method and recent experimental observations available. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.