An analytical frequency domain model for magnetoelectric composite devices including higher bending modes

Magnetoelectric (ME) composites offer an alternative route to electromagnetic coupling through the interaction of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials, which exhibit electro-mechanical and magneto-mechanical coupling, respectively. A main characteristic of ME devices is operation in a mechanical resonance mode, yielding a Lorentzian type enhancement in αME,E, the converse ME coupling coefficient. ME bending mode operation offers exceptionally low spatial size in some frequency ranges, e.g., 6 orders of magnitude in the very low frequency band (3–30 kHz). Most reports dealing with ME bending mode regard only the first mode; furthermore, the available analytical models provide only approximations for on-resonance operation. Here, we present a comprehensive model for ME bending mode operation, offering rigorous, analytical, frequency-dependent expressions for observable quantities such as αME,E, impedance, and operation frequency throughout the modal spectrum. We further discuss using higher modes in power transfer, sensing applications, and material property analysis. Overall, the model provides a design and analysis tool for ME device operation.