Thermally mediated multiferroic composites for the magnetoelectric materials

A magnetoelectric (ME) composite through thermal mediation is presented, which is different from the traditional strain/stress mediated ME composites. The ME laminate uses the large magnetocaloric effect, that is, a temperature change induced in the ferromagnetic Gd crystal by a magnetic field, and a large pyroelectric response in the relaxor ferroelectric polymer. Consequently, a simple laminate composite can produce a ME response similar to 0.5 V/(cm Oe). The ME coefficient was further enhanced to similar to 0.9 V/(cm Oe) by exploiting the magnetic flux concentration effect. The approach opens up an avenue in developing ME materials for broad range of applications. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3358133]