Ferrite-piezoelectric layered structures: Microwave magnetoelectric effects and electric field tunable devices

Studies on (i) microwave magnetoelectric (ME) interactions in ferrite-piezoelectric bilayers and (ii) electric field tunable ME signal processing devices are discussed. An electric field E applied to the bilayer produces a mechanical deformation in the piezoelectric, resulting in a frequency (delta f) or magnetic field shift (delta H) in the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) absorption spectra for the ferrite. Bilayers of single crystal yttrium iron garnet (YIG) and lead zirconium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) were studied. The strength of ME coupling A = delta H/E has been measured from FMR absorption profiles at 1-10 GHz for E = 0-10 kV/cm. Variation in delta f or delta H with E is found to be linear. A decrease in the ME coefficient is measured as the thickness of YIG film is increased. The fabrication and characterization of electric field tunable YIG/PMN-PT resonators are discussed.