Electric field controlled magnetic phase transition in Fe49Rh51 based magnetoelectric composites

The three-layer magnetoelectric composite PZT/FeRh/PZT consisting of a layer of a magnetic alloy Fe49Rh51 and two layers of a piezoelectric PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 was fabricated, and its magnetic properties were studied. Analysis of the temperature dependences of magnetic susceptibility demonstrated a phase transition at ~324 K in heating regime and ~315 K in cooling. The observed transition corresponds to the magnetostructural transformation from the antiferromagnetic state to the ferromagnetic one. Application of voltage across the composite induces a mechanical stress on the magnetic layer that leads to a decrease in the magnetic susceptibility and shift of the transition temperatures. Moreover, this mechanical stress changes the shape and area of the hysteresis, which can be used for control of magnetic properties of materials.