Piezoelectric changes of anisotropy and magnetization in ferrite-garnet film
The results of the effect of mechanical strain on magnetic anisotropy, the direction of magnetization vector and domain structure of ferrite-garnet film, rigidly connected with the zirconium-titanium lead (PZT) piezoceramic plate are presented. Since such a sandwich structure could be remagnetized both by magnetic field and electric voltage it could be used as the electro-magnetooptical modulator of light or spin switching cell in spintronics.
Ferrite-piezoelectric light modulator with electric and magnetic control of magnetization
The influence of mechanical stresses developed in a piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) plate on the domain structure of mechanically coupled epitaxial yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film has been studied. The application of electric voltage to the piezoelectric plate leads to magnetoelastic variations in the anisotropy of the garnet film, which is manifested by reorientation of the magnetization vector from the direction perpendicular to the film plane to a direction parallel to this plane. Using this effect, it is possible to perform magneto-optical modulation of light transmitted through the film. Estimations of the influence of film parameters on the orientation of magnetization and characteristics of light beam allow the optimum parameters of the composite structure for various modulation regimes to be determined.
Electric-field-induced reversible magnetic single-domain evolution in a magnetoelectric thin film
We report experimental results on a Ni-nanobar/lead zirconate titanate-film magnetoelectric device demonstrating control of a metastable magnetic single domain with an electric field due to the converse magnetoelectric effect (i.e., coupling of piezoelectric effect, mechanical coupling, and magnetostriction). The reversible single-domain evolution from an initial single-domain state to a transitional S-shape domain state with an electric field was experimentally observed with magnetic force microscopy. Upon removal of the electric field, the single domain reverts to its original domain configuration. These results confirm change of a single domain in the nanoscale magnetoelectric/multiferroic device is achievable and subsequent control of local magnetic field is possible.