Nonlinear magnetoelectric effect in a layered ferromagnetic-piezoelectric heterostructure excited by transverse magnetic field

Abstract

The nonlinear magnetoelectric effect in a heterostructure containing layers of amorphous ferromagnet FeBSiC and piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate ceramics has been investigated. The heterostructure was subjected to permanent, H0, and alternating, h, magnetic fields applied in the structure plane. In contrast to previous studies, the excitation field was directed perpendicular to the permanent field (h⊥H0). The generation of even voltage harmonics across the piezoelectric layer was observed for excitation fields in the range of 0–3 Oe. The dependence of the second harmonic amplitude on the permanent field strength was found to differ significantly from a similar dependence upon longitudinal excitation, h//H0. A theory was developed, which describes the field dependence of voltage harmonic amplitudes for the magnetoelectric effect excited by a transverse magnetic field.