Physics:Inverse Faraday effect

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In optics, the inverse Faraday effect is the effect opposite to the Faraday effect. A static magnetization [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbf{M}(0) }[/math] is induced by an external oscillating electrical field with the frequency [math]\displaystyle{ \omega }[/math], which can be achieved with a high intensity laser pulse for example. The induced magnetization is proportional to the vector product of [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbf{E} }[/math] and [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbf{E}^* }[/math]: [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbf{M}(0)\propto[\mathbf{E}(\omega)\times\mathbf{E}^*(\omega)] }[/math]

From this equation we see that the circularly polarized light with the frequency [math]\displaystyle{ \omega }[/math] should induce a magnetization along the wave vector [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbf{k} }[/math]. Because [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbf{E} }[/math] is in the vector product, left- and right-handed polarization waves should induce magnetization of opposite signs.

The induced magnetization is comparable to the saturated magnetization of the media.

References