Preparation and investigation of the magnetoelectric properties in layered cermet structures

Abstract Layered metal-ceramics structures have been prepared. Interface magnetoelectric effect (MEE) was observed at room temperature and low-frequencies in these layered ferromagnetic/ferroelectric (FM/FE) structures. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) compounds were used as FE ceramic substrates. The FM Co layers with thickness about 1–3 μm were deposited by ion-beam sputtering/deposition technique onto 100–400 μm FE PZT substrates. The substrates before metal deposition were mechanochemically polished and ion-beam planarized. X-ray diffraction, magnetic and magnetoelectric experiments have revealed that MEE obtained in Co/PZT/Co structures is a result of elastic mechanical stresses in the interface owing to mismatches of metal and substrate crystal lattices. Thus due to specific influence of ion beams on FE substrate there exists adhesion of the FM metal layer to the FE substrate, resulting to the elastic coupling between layers and hence to the ME interaction on the interface. Obtained structures are prospective for such application as energy-independent elements in magnetic field sensors and magnetic memory.