Piezoelectric control of the magnetic anisotropy via interface strain coupling in a composite multiferroic structure

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical study of how electric fields can control magnetic properties in a ferroelectric/ferromagnetic heterostructure through strain-mediated magnetoelectric coupling, enabling electric field-induced magnetic switching.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical model demonstrating electric control of magnetic anisotropy via interface strain in multiferroic composites.

Findings

Electric field induces magnetic switching perpendicular to the easy axis.

Strain-mediated magnetoelastic coupling is key to control.

Magnetic remanence and coercivity are affected by electric fields.

Abstract

We investigate theoretically the magnetic dynamics in a ferroelectric/ferromagnetic heterostructure coupled via strain-mediated magnetoelectric interaction. We predict an electric field-induced magnetic switching in the plane perpendicular to the magneto-crystalline easy axis, and trace this effect back to the piezoelectric control of the magnetoelastic coupling. We also investigate the magnetic remanence and the electric coercivity.