Frequency multiplying behavior in a magnetoelectric unimorph

We observe frequency multiplying behavior in a magnetoelectric (ME) unimorph: such a frequency-multiplied signal is generated when the input frequency (fin) of an alternating current magnetic field (H(ac)) is around 1/n (n denotes integer) of the mechanical resonance frequency (f(r)) of the device. We observe both odd and even harmonic signals when a direct current magnetic field (H(dc)) is applied, whereas only even harmonic signals arise for H(dc) = 0. This behavior results from the combined effect of the nonlinear character of the Metglas magnetostriction and a mechanical resonance phenomenon in the magnetoelectric unimorph. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3678635]