Ogheneyunume Obi

Electrical tuning of magnetism in Fe3O4/PZN–PT multiferroic heterostructures derived by reactive magnetron sputtering

Strong magnetoelectric (ME) coupling was demonstrated in Fe3O4/PZN–PT (lead zinc niobate–lead titanate) multiferroic heterostructures obtained through a sputter deposition process. The dependence of the magnetic anisotropy on the electric field (E-field) is theoretically predicted and experimentally observed by ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy. A large tunable in-plane magnetic anisotropy of up to 600 Oe, and tunable out-of-plane anisotropy of up to 400 Oe were observed in the Fe3O4/PZN–PT multiferroic heterostructures, corresponding to a large ME coefficient of 100 Oe cm/kV in plane and 68 Oe cm/kV out of plane, which match well with predicted results. In addition, the electric field manipulation of magnetic anisotropy is also demonstrated by the electric fields dependence of magnetic hysteresis loops, showing a large squareness ratio change of 44%. These Fe3O4/PZN–PT multiferroic heterostructures exhibiting large E-field tunable magnetic properties provide great opportunities for novel electrostatic...

Electric field modulation of magnetoresistance in multiferroic heterostructures for ultralow power electronics

An energy-efficiency technique for electrically modulating magnetoresistance was demonstrated in multiferroic anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) heterostructures. A giant electric field (E-field) induced magnetic anisotropy caused by a strong magnetoelectric coupling was utilized to control the orientation of magnetization and thus dynamically manipulate magnetoresistance in AMR and GMR devices. A multiband tunable AMR field sensor was designed and developed to dramatically enhance the measurement range by 15 times. In addition, two types of E-field determination of GMR in spin-valve structures are studied. The results indicate an energy efficiency approach to controlling magnetoresistance by E-field rather than magnetic field, which shows great potential for novel low power electronic and spintronic devices.

Wideband vibration energy harvester with high permeability magnetic material

A vibration energy harvester based on a high permeability cantilever beam was demonstrated, which overcomes the limitation of the existing approaches in output power and working bandwidth. Magnetostatic coupling between the vibrating highly permeable beam and bias magnetic field leads to maximized flux change and large induced voltage. The coexistence of magnetostatic and elastic potential energy results in the nonlinear oscillation with wide bandwidth. The harvester showed a maximum power of 74 mW and power density of 1.07 mW/cm3 at 54 Hz under acceleration of 0.57 g (with g=9.8 m/s2), and bandwidth of 10 Hz (or 18.5% of the operating frequency).

Planar Annular Ring Antennas With Multilayer Self-Biased NiCo-Ferrite Films Loading

With their high relative permeability, magneto-dielectric materials show great potential in antenna miniaturization. This paper presents an annular ring antenna with self-biased magnetic films loading in the gigahertz frequency range. The annular ring antenna was realized by cascading a microstrip ring and a tuning stub. Self-biased NiCo-ferrite films were adopted to load an annular ring antenna on a commercially available substrate that operates at 1.7 GHz. Novel antenna designs with self-biased NiCo-ferrite films on one side and both sides of the substrate were investigated. Antennas with self-biased magnetic films loading working at 1.7 GHz showed a down shift of 2-71 MHz of the central resonant frequency. An antenna gain enhancement of up to 0.8 dB was observed over the non-magnetic antenna.

Tunable Miniaturized Patch Antennas With Self-Biased Multilayer Magnetic Films

Magneto-dielectric substrates with thin magnetic films show great potential in realizing electrically small tunable antennas with enhanced bandwidth, improved directivity, and high efficiency. This communication introduces self-biased NiCo-ferrite magnetic films as a practical mean to tune a patch antenna by loading single layer and multilayer self-biased ferrite films. The central resonant frequency of the unloaded patch antenna is measured at 2.1 GHz with a bandwidth of 18 MHz. However, with ferrite loading of the alumina substrate, this frequency is shown to be tunable within a range of 12 MHz-40 MHz, and the antenna efficiency is increased from 41% of the non-magnetic antenna to 56%, 65%, and 74% for the three magnetic antennas. Theomnidirectional radiation pattern is significantly enhanced with the -5 dBic gain beamwidth increased from 140deg to 155deg, 156deg and 160deg, respectively for the three ferrite loaded antennas. In addition, the gains of the three magnetic antennas are enhanced by 0.32, 0.77, and 1.1 dB, respectively, over the unloaded antenna.

Strong magnetoelectric coupling in ferrite/ferroelectric multiferroic heterostructures derived by low temperature spin-spray deposition

Strong magnetoelectric (ME) interaction was demonstrated at both dc and microwave frequencies in a novel Zn0.1Fe2.9O4/PMN‐PT (lead magnesium niobate‐lead titanate) multiferroic heterostructure, which was prepared by spin-spray depositing a Zn0.1Fe2.9O4 film on a single-crystal PMN‐PT substrate at a low temperature of 90 ◦ C. A large electric-field induced ferromagnetic resonance field shift up to 140Oe was observed, corresponding to an ME coefficient of 23OecmkV −1 . In addition, a large electrostatic field tuning of the magnetic hysteresis loops was observed with a large squareness ratio change of 18%. The spin-spray deposited ferrite/piezoelectric multiferroic heterostructures exhibiting strong ME interactions at both dc and microwave frequencies provide great opportunities for novel electrostatically tunable microwave magnetic devices synthesized at a low temperature. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)

Electronically Tunable Miniaturized Antennas on Magnetoelectric Substrates With Enhanced Performance

Achieving relative permeability larger than 1 in antenna substrates can lead to antenna miniaturization, enhanced bandwidth, and tunable resonant frequency. Metallic magnetic films and self-biased ferrite films were introduced as a practical means to tune a patch antenna by loading a commercially available substrate in this paper. Novel antenna designs with metallic magnetic films and self-biased NiCo-ferrite films were investigated. Magnetic patch antennas were demonstrated at 2.1 GHz with a tuning resonant frequency range of 5-10 MHz (with the metallic magnetic films) and 7-23 MHz (with self-biased ferrite films). Three different cases of annular ring antennas with NiCo-ferrite films loading were also designed and analyzed. Antennas with self-biased magnetic films loading working at 1.7 GHz with a tuning range of 3-20 MHz were achieved.

Giant enhancement in the magnetostrictive effect of FeGa alloys doped with low levels of terbium

We present the effects of terbium additives upon the microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe83Ga17Tbx alloys (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8), prepared by vacuum electric arc-melting and directional solidification techniques. Experiments indicate that small amounts of terbium more than double the saturation magnetostriction of a [110] textured Fe83Ga17 alloy with λ = 72 × 10−6 and lower the magnetostriction saturation field. The pronounced increase in magnetostriction stems from the appearance of [100] texture in polycrystalline alloys. It is verified that [110] and [100] textures are enhanced by the introduction of terbium atoms preferentially residing in a Tb-rich intergranular phase.

Spin-spray deposited multiferroic composite Ni0.23Fe2.77O4∕Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 with strong interface adhesion

Ni0.23Fe2.77O4 (NFO)/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) multiferroic composites were synthesized by spin-spray deposition of NFO film onto PZT at 90°C. Strong interface adhesion between NFO and PZT was observed, which was verified by high resolution transmission electron microscopy indicating excellent wetting between the NFO and PZT, and by the strong magnetoelectric coupling in the NFO/PZT multiferroic composite showing an electric field induced remnant magnetization change of 10%. This strong interface adhesion and low-temperature spin-spray synthesis of multiferroic materials provide an alternative route for novel integrated multiferroic materials and devices.

High power density vibration energy harvester with high permeability magnetic material

An alternative design of vibration energy harvester was demonstrated to significantly increase the output power density. This design had two magnetic solenoids fixed at two sides of a spring supported hard magnet pair with anti-parallel magnetization, which produced a spatially inhomogeneous bias magnetic field for switching the flux inside the solenoids during vibration. Experimental results showed an output voltage of 2.52 V and a power density 20.84 mW/cm3 at 42 Hz, with a half peak working bandwidth of 6 Hz. This vibration energy harvester design leads to high output voltage, power and power density that are critical for real applications.