“…In recent years, magnetoelectric (ME) multiferroics (MFs), [1][2][3][4] which are materials that exhibit both ferroelectric and magnetic orders with a strong cross-correlation functionality between the two, have been the subject of considerable fundamental and practical research. In particular, MFs are expected to find applications in devices that utilize ME effects, [5][6][7][8] such as multivalued memory storage devices, 9,10) magneto-optical devices, 11) and magnetic field-modulation type piezoelectric devices. However, a significant issue is that common single-phase MF materials exhibit a comparatively small ME effect, and for laminated MF materials such as bilayer (ferromagnetic=ferroelectric) or multilayer films, the ME effect is reduced by the large clamping effect between the ferroelectric layer and the substrate.…”