Abstract

FUENTES, M.E; FUENTES, L; OLIVERA, R  and  GARCIA, M. Meso- and nano- magnetoelectricity: a review. Rev. mex. fis. [online]. 2007, vol.53, suppl.1, pp.21-29. ISSN 0035-001X.

The physics of magnetoelectric phenomena, on different scales, is discussed. At macro- and mesoscopic levels, the best performance today is obtained by magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composites. Magnetoelectric coupling is obtained by means of an elastic link. The Carman model for magneto-elasto-electric interaction is presented. Recent experimental results are commented on. A mesoscopic analysis of single-phased magnetoelectric materials is presented. Effective properties of single-crystals and textured polycrystals are mathematically characterized and references to recent experimental reports are given. Some basic questions regarding the atomic-level physics of magnetoelectric multiferroics are discussed. Quantum mechanical conditions for the co-existence of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic structures are investigated. The approach of Spaldin and coworkers, and its computational implementation, are analyzed. The search for a critical size associated with ferroic phenomena is described. Representative contributions are mentioned. Experimental work and computational modeling running at CIMAV and UACh are described.

Keywords : Magnetoelectricity; multiferroic materials; nano-composites.

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