Magnetoelectric characteristics of a dual-mode magnetostrictive/piezoelectric bilayered composite

The magnetoelectric characteristics of a Terfenol-D/Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3 bilayered composite were investigated, and an additional bending vibration mode due to the asymmetrical structure was observed besides the length vibration mode which also acted in the symmetrical trilayered composites. The module of magnetoelectric coefficient for the bilayered composite at 1 kHz was significantly lower than those for the trilayered composites, and one more resonant peak was observed at a lower frequency of 15.57 kHz. The combination of bending and length vibration modes was responsible for the unique magnetoelectric characteristics of the dual-mode bilayered composite. Moreover, theoretical discussion indicated that the shape of the lower-frequency resonant peak was variable and determined by the module and phase differences for the two vibration modes. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.