High-performance magnetoelectric sensors based on multi-electrode series connection for weak magnetic field detection

This study introduces a high-sensitivity magnetoelectric (ME) sensor featuring a novel multi-electrode, series-connected configuration for ultra-weak magnetic field detection. The sensor design integrates segmented electrodes on a PZT-5H piezoelectric layer, connected in series to allow constructive voltage accumulation through serial connection. A comprehensive theoretical framework is developed to derive the ME voltage coefficient (MEVC) and analyze the sensor’s electromechanical behavior. Theoretical predictions are verified through finite element simulations and experimental measurements. Results show that the MEVC increases significantly with the number of electrode pairs, reaching up to 41.67[Formula: see text]V/Oe, compared to 15.72[Formula: see text]V/Oe for a single-electrode configuration. The sensor’s limit of detection (LOD) has been reduced from 940[Formula: see text]fT to 234[Formula: see text]fT without enlarging the sensor volume. Moreover, the mechanical quality factor increases by 1.8 times. The equivalent magnetic noise decreased to 37.14[Formula: see text]fT/Hz[Formula: see text] in the four-electrode configuration. These results demonstrate that the proposed sensor design not only improves sensitivity and noise performance but also retains compactness and low power operation, making it a promising candidate for applications in biomagnetic imaging and low-field magnetic sensing.