Possible giant magnetoelectric effect of ferromagnetic rare-earth-iron-alloys-filled ferroelectric polymers

Coupled magnetic-mechanical-electric effects in a composite with ferromagnetic rare-earth-iron alloys (e.g., Tb1-xDyxFe2) filled in ferroelectric polymers [e.g, poly(vinylidene-fluoride-trifluoroethylene) copolymer] are studied by using the Green's function technique. Numerical results suggest a possible giant linear magnetoelectric effect in the ferroic polymer-matrix composite, which is markedly larger than that in the best-known magnetoelectric materials. In addition, the mechanically flexible composite exhibits large magnetostriction. The present results may stimulate further interest in the area of magnetoelectric materials for technological applications. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.