Resonance magnetoelectric effects in layered magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composites

Magnetoelectric interactions in bilayers of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric phases are mediated by mechanical deformation. Here we discuss the theory and companion data for magnetoelectric (ME) coupling at electromechanical resonance (EMR) in a ferrite-lead zirconate titanate (PZT) bilayer. Estimated ME voltage coefficient versus frequency profiles for nickel, cobalt, or lithium ferrite and PZT reveal a giant ME effect at EMR with the highest coupling expected for cobalt ferrite-PZT. Measurements of resonance ME coupling have been carried out on layered and bulk composites of nickel ferrite-PZT. We observe a factor of 40-600 increase in ME voltage coefficient at EMR compared to low frequency values. Theoretical ME voltage coefficients versus frequency profiles are in excellent agreement with data. The resonance ME effect is therefore a novel tool for enhancing the field conversion efficiency in the composites.