Influence of the composition of a magnetoelectric composite on the “self-bias” effect in hybrid structures

The results of an experimental study of the dependence of the agnetoelectric response of ferromagnetic/magnetoelectric/ferromagnetic hybrid structures on the composition of the magnetoelectric composite at zero bias field are presented. Structures obtained by electrolytic deposition of Ni layers and alternating Ni/Co/Ni layers onto a magnetoelectric bulk composite based on nickel ferrite-lead zirconate titanate are considered. It was found that in a zero bias field the magnitude of the effect in structures with a Ni layer is significantly greater than in Ni/Co/Ni structures. It was concluded that the “self-bias” effect is not associated with a stepwise change in magnetization, but is caused by a residual magnetic moment. Keywords: magnetostriction, piezoelectricity, compositional structure, magnetoelectric effect, “self-bias” effect.