Polarization proximity effect in isolator crystal pairs

TL;DR

This study investigates the polarization behavior of near-infrared light in magnetooptic Yttrium Iron Garnet crystal pairs, revealing a proximity effect that reduces the saturation field, with implications for low-power magneto-optical devices.

Contribution

The paper experimentally demonstrates a proximity effect in magnetooptic crystal pairs, showing a significant reduction in saturation field due to magnetostatic interactions.

Findings

Proximity effect reduces saturation field by up to 20%.

Magnetostatic interactions cause the observed proximity effect.

Potential for low-power integrated magneto-optical devices.

Abstract

We experimentally studied the polarization dynamics (orientation and ellipticity) of near infrared light transmitted through magnetooptic Yttrium Iron Garnet crystal pairs using a modified balanced detection scheme. When the pair separation is in the sub-millimeter range, we observed a proximity effect in which the saturation field is reduced by up to 20%. 1D magnetostatic calculations suggest that the proximity effect originates from magnetostatic interactions between the dipole moments of the isolator crystals. This substantial reduction of the saturation field is potentially useful for the realization of low-power integrated magneto-optical devices.