Nonlinear magneto-electric effects in ferromagnetic-piezoelectric composites

• A theory for nonlinear magnetoelectric effects in composite structures is described.
• The effects were observed in different planar magnetic-piezoelectric structures.
• The nonlinearity of the magnetostriction results in mixing of magnetic fields.
• The field mixing efficiency is determined by the 2-d derivative of magnetostriction.
• New type of the frequency-selective ac magnetic fields sensors is suggested.

Theory and results of a systematic study on the nature of nonlinear magnetoelectric (ME) interactions in layered ferromagnetic and ferroelectric composites are discussed. The model that considers the nonlinearity associated with magnetostriction of the ferromagnet is to result in (i) a dc component and (ii) frequency doubling when the composite is subjected to an ac magnetic field. In the presence of two ac magnetic fields of different frequencies, nonlinear effects give rise to generation of ME voltages at the sum and difference of the fields frequencies. The efficiencies of nonlinear ME interactions are shown to be a function of the second derivative of the magnetostriction with respect to the bias magnetic field. The predictions of the model are compared with data for bilayers of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and ferromagnetic layers with wide variations in saturation magnetostrictions and saturation magnetic fields, i.e., an amorphous ferromagnetic (AF) alloy, Ni, or permendur. Under linear excitation conditions an enhancement in the ME voltage is measured when the ac magnetic field is applied at the acoustic mode frequencies. Under nonlinear excitation conditions the mechanical deformation and the ME response occur at twice the excitation frequency and the AF-PZT composite shows a much higher nonlinear ME effects. In addition, the AF-PZT shows an efficient frequency mixing than the samples with Ni or permendur when subjected to two ac magnetic fields. The frequency mixing is shown to be of importance for magnetic field sensor applications.