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16 pages, 5705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multisensor Magnetic Scanning Microscope for Remanent Magnetic Field Measurements

by João F. Chaves, Leosdan F. Noris, Elder Yokoyama, Fredy G. Osorio G., Leonardo A. F. Mendoza and Jefferson F. D. F. Araujo

Sensors 2024, 24(7), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24072294 - 4 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1102

Abstract

Magnetic Scanning Microscopy (MSM) emerged with the aim of allowing the visualization of magnetic fields of a sample or material through scanning and proved particularly useful for geology, biomedicine, characterization of magnetic materials, and in the steel industry. In this regard, the reading [...] Read more.

Magnetic Scanning Microscopy (MSM) emerged with the aim of allowing the visualization of magnetic fields of a sample or material through scanning and proved particularly useful for geology, biomedicine, characterization of magnetic materials, and in the steel industry. In this regard, the reading system of an MSM was modified using a μ-metal magnetic shielding structure to analyze remanent fields. The MSM was adapted to perform readings using two different types of sensors. The sensitive area of the sensors was evaluated, and the HQ-0811 (AKM—Asahi KaseiTM Microdevices) and STJ-010 (Micro MagneticsTM) sensors were chosen, with the HQ-0811 standardized on Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) to facilitate handling and increase the system’s robustness. In the shielded chamber, two piezoelectric ANC-150 stepper motors (Attocube Systems) were used, arranged planarly, to allow the movement of the analyzed samples under the mounted sensors. To acquire data from the sensors, the Precision Current Source Model 6220 and the Nanovoltmeter Model 2182A (both from Keithley) were used, along with Keithley’s Delta-Mode integrated system. To analyze the system’s effectiveness, three distinct samples were analyzed for calibration, and a MATLAB program was written to analyze the images and extract the material’s magnetization. Additionally, a rock sample from the Parnaíba Basin was mapped to demonstrate the system’s capabilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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12 pages, 3603 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Biased Magneto-Electric Antenna for Very-Low-Frequency Communications: Exploiting Magnetization Grading and Asymmetric Structure-Induced Resonance

by Chung Ming Leung, Haoran Zheng, Jing Yang, Tao Wang and Feifei Wang

Sensors 2024, 24(2), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24020694 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1591

Abstract

VLF magneto-electric (ME) antennas have gained attention for their compact size and high radiation efficiency in lossy conductive environments. However, the need for a large DC magnetic field bias presents challenges for miniaturization, limiting portability. This study introduces a self-biased ME antenna with [...] Read more.

VLF magneto-electric (ME) antennas have gained attention for their compact size and high radiation efficiency in lossy conductive environments. However, the need for a large DC magnetic field bias presents challenges for miniaturization, limiting portability. This study introduces a self-biased ME antenna with an asymmetric design using two magneto materials, inducing a magnetization grading effect that reduces the resonant frequency during bending. Operating principles are explored, and performance parameters, including the radiation mechanism, intensity and driving power, are experimentally assessed. Leveraging its excellent direct and converse magneto-electric effect, the antenna proves adept at serving as both a transmitter and a receiver. The results indicate that, at 2.09 mW and a frequency of 24.47 kHz, the antenna has the potential to achieve a 2.44 pT magnetic flux density at a 3 m distance. A custom modulation–demodulation circuit is employed, applying 2ASK and 2PSK to validate communication capability at baseband signals of 10 Hz and 100 Hz. This approach offers a practical strategy for the lightweight and compact design of VLF communication systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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32 pages, 4154 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling the Converse Magnetoelectric Effect in the Low-Frequency Range

by Mirza Bichurin, Oleg Sokolov, Sergey Ivanov, Viktor Leontiev, Vyacheslav Lobekin, Gennady Semenov and Yaojin Wang

Sensors 2024, 24(1), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24010151 - 27 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1034

Abstract

This article is devoted to the theory of the converse magnetoelectric (CME) effect for the longitudinal, bending, longitudinal-shear, and torsional resonance modes and its quasi-static regime. In contrast to the direct ME effect (DME), these issues have not been studied in sufficient detail [...] Read more.

This article is devoted to the theory of the converse magnetoelectric (CME) effect for the longitudinal, bending, longitudinal-shear, and torsional resonance modes and its quasi-static regime. In contrast to the direct ME effect (DME), these issues have not been studied in sufficient detail in the literature. However, in a number of cases, in particular in the study of low-frequency ME antennas, the results obtained are of interest. Detailed calculations with examples were carried out for the longitudinal mode on the symmetric and asymmetric structures based on Metglas/PZT (LN); the bending mode was considered for the asymmetric free structure and structure with rigidly fixed left-end Metglas/PZT (LN); the longitudinal-shear and torsional modes were investigated for the symmetric and asymmetric free structures based on Metglas/GaAs. For the identification of the torsion mode, it was suggested to perform an experiment on the ME structure based on Metglas/bimorphic LN. All calculation results are presented in the form of graphs for the CME coefficients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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16 pages, 11227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Spinel Ferrite-Hexagonal Ferrite Composite for Enhanced Magneto-Electric Coupling in a Bilayer with PZT

by Sujoy Saha, Sabita Acharya, Maksym Popov, Theodore Sauyet, Jacob Pfund, Rao Bidthanapally, Menka Jain, Michael R. Page and Gopalan Srinivasan

Sensors 2023, 23(24), 9815; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23249815 - 14 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1305

Abstract

The magnetoelectric effect (ME) is an important strain mediated-phenomenon in a ferromagnetic-piezoelectric composite for a variety of sensors and signal processing devices. A bias magnetic field, in general, is essential to realize a strong ME coupling in most composites. Magnetic phases with (i) [...] Read more.

The magnetoelectric effect (ME) is an important strain mediated-phenomenon in a ferromagnetic-piezoelectric composite for a variety of sensors and signal processing devices. A bias magnetic field, in general, is essential to realize a strong ME coupling in most composites. Magnetic phases with (i) high magnetostriction for strong piezomagnetic coupling and (ii) large anisotropy field that acts as a built-in bias field are preferred so that miniature, ME composite-based devices can operate without the need for an external magnetic field. We are able to realize such a magnetic phase with a composite of (i) barium hexaferrite (BaM) with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy field and (ii) nickel ferrite (NFO) with high magnetostriction. The BNx composites, with (100 − x) wt.% of BaM and x wt.% NFO, for x = 0–100, were prepared. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the composites did not contain any impurity phases. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that, with an increase in NFO content, hexagonal BaM grains become prominent, leading to a large anisotropy field. The room temperature saturation magnetization showed a general increase with increasing BaM content in the composites. NFO rich composites with x ≥ 60 were found to have a large magnetostriction value of around −23 ppm, comparable to pure NFO. The anisotropy field H_A of the composites, determined from magnetization and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements, increased with increasing NFO content and reached a maximum of 7.77 kOe for x = 75. The BNx composite was cut into rectangular platelets and bonded with PZT to form the bilayers. ME voltage coefficient (MEVC) measurements at low frequencies and at mechanical resonance showed strong coupling at zero bias for samples with x ≥ 33. This large in-plane H_A acted as a built-in field for strong ME effects under zero external bias in the bilayers. The highest zero-bias MEVC of ~22 mV/cm Oe was obtained for BN75-PZT bilayers wherein BN75 also has the highest H_A. The Bilayer of BN95-PZT showed a maximum MEVC ~992 mV/cm Oe at electromechanical resonance at 59 kHz. The use of hexaferrite–spinel ferrite composite to achieve strong zero-bias ME coupling in bilayers with PZT is significant for applications related to energy harvesting, sensors, and high frequency devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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12 pages, 4392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resonant Magnetoelectric Coupling of Fe-Si-B/Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ Laminated Composites with Surface Crystalline Layers

by Yu Sun, Xu Zhang, Sheng Wu, Nian Jiang, Xin Zhuang, Bin Yan, Feng Zhang, Christophe Dolabdjian and Guangyou Fang

Sensors 2023, 23(24), 9622; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23249622 - 5 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1031

Abstract

The resonant magnetoelectric (ME) effect of Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃/Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ (FeSiB/PZT) composites with a surface-modified Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ amorphous alloy has been studied. The surface-modified FeSiB can improve the ME coefficient at the resonant frequency by [...] Read more.

The resonant magnetoelectric (ME) effect of Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃/Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ (FeSiB/PZT) composites with a surface-modified Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ amorphous alloy has been studied. The surface-modified FeSiB can improve the ME coefficient at the resonant frequency by optimizing the magnetomechancial power conversion efficiency. The maximum ME coefficient of the surface-modified ribbons combined with soft PZT (PZT5) is two-thirds larger than that of the composites with fully amorphous ribbons. Meanwhile, the maximum value of the ME coefficient with surface-modified FeSiB ribbons and hard PZT (PZT8) is one-third higher compared with the fully amorphous composites. In addition, experimental results of magnetomechanical coupling properties of FeSiB/PZT composites with or without piezoelectric layers indicate that the power efficiency of the composites first decreases and then increases with the increase in the number of FeSiB layers. When the surface crystalline FeSiB ribbons are combined with a commercially available hard piezoelectric ceramic plate, the maximum magnetoelectric coupling coefficient of the ME composite reaches 5522 V/(Oe*cm), of which the electromechanical resonant frequency is 23.89 kHz. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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11 pages, 3720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Flexible Magnetic Field Sensor Based on PZT/CFO Bilayer via van der Waals Oxide Heteroepitaxy

by Weijuan Pan, Yuan Ao, Peng Zhou, Leonid Fetisov, Yuri Fetisov, Tianjin Zhang and Yajun Qi

Sensors 2023, 23(22), 9147; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23229147 - 13 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1224

Abstract

Magnetoelectric (ME) magnetic field sensors utilize ME effects in ferroelectric ferromagnetic layered heterostructures to convert magnetic signals into electrical signals. However, the substrate clamping effect greatly limits the design and fabrication of ME composites with high ME coefficients. To reduce the clamping effect [...] Read more.

Magnetoelectric (ME) magnetic field sensors utilize ME effects in ferroelectric ferromagnetic layered heterostructures to convert magnetic signals into electrical signals. However, the substrate clamping effect greatly limits the design and fabrication of ME composites with high ME coefficients. To reduce the clamping effect and improve the ME response, a flexible ME sensor based on PbZr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ (PZT)/CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) ME bilayered heterostructure was deposited on mica substrates via van der Waals oxide heteroepitaxy. A saturated magnetization of 114.5 emu/cm³ was observed in the bilayers. The flexible sensor exhibited a strong ME coefficient of 6.12 V/cm·Oe. The local ME coupling has been confirmed by the evolution of the ferroelectric domain under applied magnetic fields. The flexible ME sensor possessed a stable response with high sensitivity to both AC and DC weak magnetic fields. A high linearity of 0.9988 and sensitivity of 72.65 mV/Oe of the ME sensor were obtained under flat states. The ME output and limit-of-detection under different bending states showed an inferior trend as the bending radius increased. A flexible proximity sensor has been demonstrated, indicating a promising avenue for wearable device applications and significantly broadening the potential application of the flexible ME magnetic field sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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8 pages, 8371 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Phase Conductance of BiFeO₃ Film

by Yufeng Wang, Peng Zhou, Leonid Fetisov, Yuri Fetisov, Yajun Qi and Tianjin Zhang

Sensors 2023, 23(22), 9123; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23229123 - 11 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1061

Abstract

In this work, the local conductance of the tetragonal-like (T-like) and rhombohedral-like (R-like) phases of epitaxial BiFeO₃ film is systematically studied via conductive atomic force microscopy. At higher tip voltage, there is a mutual transition between the T-like and R-like phases, which [...] Read more.

In this work, the local conductance of the tetragonal-like (T-like) and rhombohedral-like (R-like) phases of epitaxial BiFeO₃ film is systematically studied via conductive atomic force microscopy. At higher tip voltage, there is a mutual transition between the T-like and R-like phases, which could be attributed to the strain relaxation in the T-like phase induced by electric poling, as well as local polarization switching. The T-like phase exhibits a higher conductance, which is related to the lower interface potential barrier between the tip and film surface. Reversible low- and high-current states in the T-like phase can be tuned by polarization switching. These results will be helpful for designing novel nanoelectronic devices, such as voltage and strain sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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14 pages, 3152 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Isolation, Double-Clamped, Magnetoelectric Microelectromechanical Resonator Magnetometer

by Thomas Mion, Michael J. D’Agati, Sydney Sofronici, Konrad Bussmann, Margo Staruch, Jason L. Kost, Kevin Co, Roy H. Olsson III and Peter Finkel

Sensors 2023, 23(20), 8626; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23208626 - 21 Oct 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1542

Abstract

Magnetoelectric (ME)-based magnetometers have garnered much attention as they boast ultra-low-power systems with a small form factor and limit of detection in the tens of picotesla. The highly sensitive and low-power electric readout from the ME sensor makes them attractive for near DC [...] Read more.

Magnetoelectric (ME)-based magnetometers have garnered much attention as they boast ultra-low-power systems with a small form factor and limit of detection in the tens of picotesla. The highly sensitive and low-power electric readout from the ME sensor makes them attractive for near DC and low-frequency AC magnetic fields as platforms for continuous magnetic signature monitoring. Among multiple configurations of the current ME magnetic sensors, most rely on exploiting the mechanically resonant characteristics of a released ME microelectromechanical system (MEMS) in a heterostructure device. Through optimizing the resonant device configuration, we design and fabricate a fixed–fixed resonant beam structure with high isolation compared to previous designs operating at ~800 nW of power comprised of piezoelectric aluminum nitride (AlN) and magnetostrictive (Co_1-xFe_x)-based thin films that are less susceptible to vibration while providing similar characteristics to ME-MEMS cantilever devices. In this new design of double-clamped magnetoelectric MEMS resonators, we have also utilized thin films of a new iron–cobalt–hafnium alloy (Fe_0.5Co_0.5)_0.92Hf_0.08 that provides a low-stress, high magnetostrictive material with an amorphous crystalline structure and ultra-low magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Together, the improvements of this sensor design yield a magnetic field sensitivity of 125 Hz/mT when released in a compressive state. The overall detection limit of these sensors using an electric field drive and readout are presented, and noise sources are discussed. Based on these results, design parameters for future ME MEMS field sensors are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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13 pages, 8396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low-Frequency Resonant Magnetoelectric Effects in Layered Heterostructures Antiferromagnet-Piezoelectric

by Dmitri A. Burdin, Dmitri V. Chashin, Nikolai A. Ekonomov, Leonid Y. Fetisov, Vladimir L. Preobrazhensky and Yuri K. Fetisov

Sensors 2023, 23(13), 5901; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23135901 - 25 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1225

Abstract

Magnetic field sensors using magnetoelectric (ME) effects in planar ferromagnetic-piezoelectric heterostructures convert a magnetic field into an output voltage. The parameters of ME sensors are determined by characteristics of the magnetic constituent. In this work, the low-frequency ME effects in heterostructures comprising a [...] Read more.

Magnetic field sensors using magnetoelectric (ME) effects in planar ferromagnetic-piezoelectric heterostructures convert a magnetic field into an output voltage. The parameters of ME sensors are determined by characteristics of the magnetic constituent. In this work, the low-frequency ME effects in heterostructures comprising a layer of antiferromagnetic hematite α-Fe₂O₃ crystal with easy-plane anisotropy and a piezoelectric layer are studied. The effects arise due to a combination of magnetostriction and piezoelectricity because of mechanical coupling of the layers. The field dependences of magnetization and magnetostriction of the hematite crystal are measured. The resonant ME effects in the hematite-piezopolymer and hematite-piezoceramic structures are studied. The strong coupling between magnetic and acoustic subsystems of hematite results in a tuning of the acoustic resonance frequency by the magnetic field. For the hematite layer, the frequency tuning was found to be ~37% with an increase in the bias field up to 600 Oe. For the hematite-PVDF heterostructure, the frequency tuning reached ~24% and the ME coefficient was 58 mV/(Oe∙cm). For the hematite-piezoceramic heterostructure, the frequency tuning was ~4.4% and the ME coefficient 4.8 V/(Oe∙cm). Efficient generation of the second voltage harmonic in the hematite-piezoceramic heterostructure was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiferroics and Magnetoelectrics for Sensors, Low-F Antenna and Other Related Emerging Devices)

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