Frequency and field dependence of magnetoelectric interactions in layered ferromagnetic transition metal-piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate

The strength of magnetoelectric (ME) coupling at 10 Hz-3 MHz has been measured in trilayers of Fe, Co, or Ni and lead zirconate titanate (PZT). The strongest ME coupling is measured for trilayers with Ni and the weakest in Co. Data on ME voltage coefficient alpha(E) versus bias magnetic field H for Fe-PZT-Fe show unique features including zero crossing and sign reversal. Measurements of frequency dependence of alpha(E) reveal a giant ME coupling due to the electromechanical resonance at 200-300 kHz for radial modes and at similar to 2.7 MHz for thickness modes. Theoretical estimates of field and frequency dependence of alpha(E) are in very good agreement with the data. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.