Magnetoimpedance of cobalt-coated silicon steels

Magnetoimpedance (MI) effect of cobalt-coated silicon steels is measured as a function of cobalt thickness (0−45 μm), DC magnetic field (0–2 kOe), frequency (1 kHz–1 MHz) and magnitude (1–20 mA) of AC current. With increase in deposition thickness, the MI ratio and the characteristic frequency are decreased because the samples are magnetically hardened by the coating. Nevertheless, cobalt deposition broadens the frequency-dependent MI curves, and the frequency range with a large MI ratio is extended. The variations of this peak width as well as the characteristic frequency and the MI ratio are explained by the skin effect and crossing effect.