Configuration and assembly of instrument for the magnetoelectric characterization of multiferroic ceramic compounds

In the present work, the configuration and assembly of a device used to quantify the dynamic magnetoelectric coefficient (alpha) of multiferroic lead-free ceramic is analyzed. In particular, the magnetoelectric properties of Bi-0.5(Na0.8K0.2)(0.5)TiO3-Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 (BNKT-NCF) ceramics are studied. In the dynamic method, the magnetoelectric signal (ME) is recorded measuring the electrical potential across the sample under a DC magnetic field in the presence of an AC magnetic field. The measuring elements consist of a polarization system (electric and magnetic), to polarize the magnetoelectric ceramics, and a lock-in to generate the alternating signal and filter out the noise. Besides due to the low ME signal, adequate shielding and a thin electrode section are necessary close to the lock-in amplifier. The performance of the manufactured devices is satisfactory to perform the dynamic measurement of the ME effect for magnetoelectric materials based on multiferroic ceramics.