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

Coupled magnetic-mechanical-electric effects in a composite with ferromagne tic rare-earth-iron alloys (e.g., Tb1-xDyxFe2) filled in ferroelectric poly mers [e.g, poly(vinylidene-fluoride-trifluoroethylene) copolymer] are studi ed by using the Green's function technique. Numerical results suggest a pos sible giant linear magnetoelectric effect in the ferroic polymer-matrix com posite, which is markedly larger than that in the best-known magnetoelectri c materials. In addition, the mechanically flexible composite exhibits larg e magnetostriction. The present results may stimulate further interest in t he area of magnetoelectric materials for technological applications. (C) 20 01 American Institute of Physics.