Strain and phase transformation co-mediated magnetoelectric effect in epitaxial Ni/PMN-PT (0 1 1) heterostructures

Abstract E- tuning of magnetic behavior is investigated in epitaxial Ni film grown on (0 1 1)-PMN-PT single crystal substrate. Loop-like and butterfly-like Hr-E and Hme-E curves are obtained along [01-1] and [1 0 0], respectively, which is mediated by the combined effects of anisotropic strain and nonvolatile rhombohedral to orthorhombic phase transformation in PMN-PT. The results are further confirmed via E-tuning of domain in PMN-PT using piezoelectric force microscope and E-tuning of magnetic stripe domain in Ni film using magnetic force microscope, as well as E-tuning of XRD. In addition, the highest E-induced Hr shift of 1253 Oe is achieved along [01-1] under electric field of −10 kV/cm. This work is of significance for the potential application in magnetoelectric multifunctional devices.