Overview
- Hebrew University researchers Amir Capua and Benjamin Assouline published the findings on November 19 in Scientific Reports.
- The work presents a first theoretical proof that the oscillating magnetic field of light directly participates in Faraday rotation by interacting with spins.
- Calculations based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation indicate the optical magnetic field produces a spin torque analogous to a static magnetic field.
- The model’s application to Terbium Gallium Garnet quantifies a strong wavelength dependence, with a smaller role in the visible and a larger one in the infrared.
- The authors and independent experts highlight the need for experimental validation and foresee avenues in spintronics, optical data storage, and light-driven magnetic control.