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

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, H 0, 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 ? H 0). 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//H 0. A theory was developed, which describes the field dependence of voltage harmonic amplitudes for the magnetoelectric effect excited by a transverse magnetic field.