Electrically controlled magnetization switching in a multiferroic heterostructure

A demonstration of magnetization reversal via the application of electric field across a multiferroic heterostructure, consisting of a FeCoV ribbon bonded to a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate crystal, is presented. The magnetization switching occurs by an abrupt change in magnetization near ferromagnetic coercivity, coinciding with an electrical field-induced magnetic anisotropy field. Experiments reveal a converse magnetoelectric coupling of α=μ0(dM/dE)=1.6×10−7 s m−1 upon magnetization reversal in the strain-mediated heterostructure. The frequency dependence of magnetization switching is presented and explained within the framework of a relaxation model for the multiferroic heterostructure.