Multiferroic bending mode resonators and studies on temperature dependence of magnetoelectric interactions

Temperature dependence of the magneto-electric voltage u and resonance frequency are measured at bending mode over T = 220-350K for Ni-PZT bilayers fabricated by epoxy bonding and by electro-deposition. Both samples show a general decrease in u due to T-dependent permittivity. In epoxy bonded resonators, a further decrease in u occurs due to weakening of mechanical coupling originating from softening of the epoxy. Bending mode frequency varies by 4.5%-16% and is attributed to changes in the Young's modulus and differential thermal expansion. The results are of importance for composite based devices such as magnetic sensors. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4729124]