Magnetic control of polarization and ferroelastic strain switching in Terfenol-D/ Bi12 GeO20 laminate

Abstract

A profound interplay between ferroelastic strain, polarization, and external magnetic field was observed in both bilayer and trilayer laminate Tb0.27-0.30 Dy0.73-0.70 Fe1.90-1.95 (Terfenol-D)/ Bi12 GeO20. The bilayer shows a much higher shear strain induced magnetoelectric effect than the trilayer. A series of experimental results related to the ferroelasticity in Bi12 GeO 20 such as a butterfly loop of the surface strain of Bi12 GeO20 to magnetic field and a reproducible magnetic-field-induced strain switching were observed for the bilayer laminate. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.