Overview
- Hebrew University researchers led by Dr. Amir Capua and Benjamin Assouline report the first theoretical proof that light’s magnetic field directly contributes to the Faraday effect.
- Calculations based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation show the oscillating optical magnetic field can exert a torque on spins similar to a static magnetic field.
- Applying the model to Terbium Gallium Garnet estimates about 17% of the rotation in the visible range and up to 70% in the infrared.
- The work is published in Scientific Reports and reframes the effect long attributed solely to interactions with light’s electric field.
- Igor Rozhansky of the University of Manchester deems the calculations convincing and points to plausible experimental tests and spintronic applications.