Additional dc magnetic field response of magnetostrictive/piezoelectric magnetoelectric laminates by Lorentz force effect

Abstract

We have discovered that traditional long-type magnetoelectric laminate composite of magnetostrictive Tb[sub 1−x]Dy[sub x]Fe[sub 2−y] and piezoelectric materials possesses additional ability of detecting dc magnetic field, using the product effect of the Lorentz force effect from Terfenol-D metal strips in dc magnetic field applied with an ac electrical current and the piezoelectric effect from piezoelectric material. The output voltage between the two faces of piezoelectric (1−x)Pb(Mg[sub ⅓]Nb[sub ⅔])O₃-xPbTiO₃ single crystal shows a good linear response to applied dc magnetic field of 100-1200 Oe under different ac electrical current inputs (0.4-200 mA). The magnetoelectric coefficient is about ~64.1 mV/T A. The additional dc magnetic field response of magnetostrictive/piezoelectric magnetoelectric laminates driven by Lorentz force makes this composite hopeful for application in coil-free ac/dc magnetic-sensitive sensors. At the same time, for this composite, the additional ability will not affect the primal ability for detecting ac magnetic field.