Magnetoimpedance of cobalt-coated silicon steels

Magnetoimpedance (MI) effect of cobalt-coated silicon steels is measured as a function of cobalt thickness (0-45 μm), DC magnetic field (0-2 kOe), frequency (1 kHz-1 MHz) and magnitude (1-20 mA) of AC current. With increase in deposition thickness, the MI ratio and the characteristic frequency are decreased because the samples are magnetically hardened by the coating. Nevertheless, cobalt deposition broadens the frequency-dependent MI curves, and the frequency range with a large MI ratio is extended. The variations of this peak width as well as the characteristic frequency and the MI ratio are explained by the skin effect and crossing effect.