Magnetoelectric effects in layered heterostructures with single-crystalline piezoelectrics

Abstract Magnetoelectric (ME) effects in composite layered ferromagnetic-piezoelectric (FM-PE) heterostructures arise as a result of the combination of magnetostriction and PE due to mechanical coupling between the layers. These effects manifest as a mutual transformation of magnetic and electric fields. The effects are used to create high-sensitivity sensors for DC and alternating magnetic fields, as well as controlled microwave devices, new memory elements, and low-power autonomous energy sources. The efficiency of field conversion in the structures depends on the PE, magnetic, and acoustical properties of the individual layers. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in the research of ME effects in composite heterostructures containing PE layers of various single crystalline PEs, such as lead magnesium niobate—lead titanate, lithium niobate, langatate, quartz, and PE semiconductors. The use of PE crystals allowed for increasing the efficiency of fields conversion and expand the range of operating temperatures of the heterostructures. The characteristics of known ME devices have been improved, and new types of devices have been developed. The article provides an overview of the research results, considers the problems, and presents promising areas for further research and applications of ME effects in composite heterostructures with crystalline PEs. Ethical Compliance: All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.