Magnetoelectric effects in stripe- and periodic heterostructures based on nickel–lead zirconate titanate bilayers

Objectives. A topical task in the design of magnetoelectric (ME) devices based on composite ferromagnetic– piezoelectric heterostructures involves reducing their dimensions to increase their operating frequencies and optimize their integration in modern electronics. The study set out to investigate the influence of in-plane dimensions on the characteristics of ME effects in stripe and periodic nickel–lead zirconate titanate heterostructures manufactured via electrolytic deposition. Methods. Lead zirconate titanate disks with Ag-electrodes were used for manufacturing the ME heterostructures; Ni was deposited on one Ag-electrode only. Results. While a reduction in stripe size leads to an increase in the frequency of the resonant ME effect, it is followed by a decrease in ME conversion efficiency. The ME coefficient for the periodic heterostructures is about ~1 V/(Oe·cm). By increasing the angle between the magnetic field H and the Ni-stripe axis from 0° to 90°, a 2.5-fold increase in the optimal field H m and a 4-fold drop in the maximum amplitude of ME voltage u max (H m ) was achieved. Conclusions. In periodic heterostructures, the frequency of the resonant ME effect is determined by the substrate’s size, while ME conversion efficiency depends on the width of the Ni stripes and the distance between them. The observed anisotropy of the ME effects in the investigated heterostructures is explained in terms of demagnetization effects. In the future, the anisotropic ME effect in the periodic heterostructures could be used to develop magnetic field sensors that are sensitive to field orientation.