Near-flat self-biased magnetoelectric response in geometry gradient composite

We demonstrate a near-flat self-biased magnetoelectric (ME) effect in geometry gradient magnetostrictive-piezoelectric laminates. The near-flat behavior was characterized by a stable ME response over a wide range of magnetic DC bias. By adjusting the configuration of the magnetostrictive layer, we were able to control the magnitude of the self-biased magnetoelectric coefficient. The ME response was found to be almost independent of the applied DC bias in the range of 0 similar to 260 Oe. This bandwidth was almost 650% similar to 3800% higher than that of the conventional ME composites. This significant advancement opens great potential towards the development of high stability/sensitivity magnetic field sensors and energy harvesters. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.