Anisotropy in magnetoelectric composites

Anisotropy of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials is considered in order to determine the ideal directions and orientation relationships for which the maximum magnetoelectric response may be observed in a composite or heterostructure of these constituent materials. A formalism for the magnetoelectric effect is introduced that takes into account the independent anisotropy of the piezoelectric and magnetostrictive phases and their relative orientation. A maximum magnetoelectric effect is achieved in orientations that have not yet been achieved experimentally, suggesting a need for the development of new routes to synthesize and fabricate designed composite materials with enhanced magnetoelectric response.