Non-linear actuation of cantilevers using giant magnetostrictive thin films

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Magnetostrictive materials offer unique magneto-elastic coupling.
• Non-linear dynamics in micro- and nano-scale devices are of significant interest.
• Cantilever-based resonators are utilized in various sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate non-linear effects for driving centimetre-scale cantilevers.
• To explore sub-harmonic excitation in thin magnetostrictive films.
• To model the thermodynamic potentials and behavior of the excited resonator.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of bimorph cantilevers using glass and multilayer TbFe/Fe films via RF sputtering.
• Experimental study of dynamic magneto-elastic excitations near eigenresonance modes.
• Analysis of sub-harmonic excitation at half and one-third of eigenfrequencies.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of sub-harmonic excitation in centimetre-scale magnetostrictive cantilevers.
• Achieved efficient sub-harmonic excitation near the spin reorientation transition, comparable to eigenfrequency excitation.
• Developed a model for thermodynamic potentials based on specific magnetic properties.

Conclusions:

• Non-linear effects enable efficient sub-harmonic excitation in magnetostrictive cantilevers.
• The findings are relevant for developing novel magneto-elastic resonators.
• The study provides insights into the behavior of excited resonators with specific magnetic properties.