| This thesis examines the dynamic behavior of an electric-field tunable multiferroic inductor, a four-terminal device that is comprised of a two-terminal variable inductor with an inductance controlled by a two-terminal voltage input. Although the inductor features a wide tuning range and high quality factor, little information is available regarding the inductor's transient characteristics in response to a fast changing control voltage. Therefore, its role in certain high-speed electronic applications is currently undetermined.;To reduce the aforementioned knowledge gap, the time-varying tuning response of the multiferroic tunable inductor is explored in this thesis to establish its relevance to high-speed electronics. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the multiferroic tunable inductor can achieve a newly selected inductance value within a settling time of ten microseconds. To accomplish this, the following steps are performed: First, a mathematical model is developed that provides insight into the tunable inductor's physical behavior. Next, techniques for achieving a high-speed tuning response are studied, including the derivation of measurable parameters, design and analysis of proper electronic driver circuits, and measurement and processing techniques. Finally, a laboratory measurement setup is designed and constructed to test the tunable inductor and prove the stated hypothesis.;Results show that electrostatically tunable multiferroic inductors are well suited for high-speed applications, and that tuning speeds of several microseconds are achievable with appropriate driver electronics. These results bode well for electric-field tunable multiferroic inductors and their use in radio frequency applications. |
