Effect of cobalt layer thickness on the magnetoelectric properties of Co/PbZr0.45Ti0.55O3/Co heterostructures

Abstract

We have studied the magnetic properties and determined the optimal range of thicknesses of cobalt films grown on PbZr0.45Ti0.55O3 (PZT) ceramic substrates with smoothed surfaces. Using an ion-beam deposition-sputtering process, we have produced Co/PZT/Co heterostructures with smooth, thermally stable PZT/Co interfaces. The structures exhibit a reproducible magnetoelectric effect comparable in magnitude to that in known layered structures fabricated by splicing ferromagnetic and ferroelectric layers. A ferromagnetic layer of optimal thickness makes the largest contribution to the magnetoelectric effect. The structures can be used as elements of more complex, multilayer structures. The use of the ion-beam deposition-sputtering process allows one to scale up such heterostructures by microelectronic means in producing magnetoelectric devices.