Monolithic Ni/LiNbO₃ Structures with an Interfacial Magnetoelectric Effect

Layered structures in the form of submicron-thick nickel layers on single-crystal lithium niobate (LiNbO3) ferroelectric substrates have been produced by ion beam sputter deposition. At room temperature, the structures exhibit an interfacial magnetoelectric effect, whose largest magnitude is 108 mV/A in a transverse configuration of the magnetic and electric fields and 4 mV/A in a longitudinal configuration. Analysis of mechanical strain leads us to conclude that the interface makes a considerable contribution to magnetoelectric interaction in the Ni/LiNbO3 structures obtained in this study. The materials can find application in designing piezoelectric devices and acoustic, optical, and spin wave electronics.