Giant magnetostriction and strain sensitivity of ZnFe2O4 film in out-of-plane configuration

We have investigated the in-plane and out-of-plane magnetostriction (λ) and strain sensitivity (dλ/dH) of the polycrystalline ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) film on an Si(100) substrate at room temperature using the optical cantilever beam magnetometer. A remarkable enhancement in magnetostriction (129.34%) and strain sensitivity (218.49%) is obtained in the out-of-plane configuration in comparison with the same in the in-plane configuration. The film possesses a high positive magnetostriction (strain sensitivity) of 325.67 ± 0.42 ppm (4.65×10−9A−1m) and 746.92 ± 1.18 ppm (14.81×10−9A−1m) for in-plane and out-of-plane geometry, respectively, at room temperature. The huge enhancement in magnetostriction and strain sensitivity is ascribed to the shape anisotropy of the ZFO/Si composite in the out-of-plane configuration, and thus, the out-of-plane configuration would be highly potential in designing magnetic actuators, magnetic memory devices, and bio-medical devices at room temperature.