Magnetoelectric coupling refers to the interaction between magnetic and electric fields in certain materials, where the application of an electric field can induce a magnetization and vice versa. This phenomenon is primarily observed in multiferroic materials, which possess both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties. The underlying mechanism often involves changes in the crystal structure or spin arrangements of the material when subjected to external electric or magnetic fields.
The strength of this coupling can be quantified by the magnetoelectric coefficient, typically denoted as , which describes the change in polarization with respect to a change in magnetic field :
Applications of magnetoelectric coupling are promising in areas such as data storage, sensors, and energy harvesting, making it a significant topic of research in both physics and materials science.
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