Transparent EuTiO3 films: a novel two-dimensional magneto-optical device for light modulation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of transparent EuTiO3 thin films on SrTiO3 substrates as a novel magneto-optical device capable of light modulation near room temperature, utilizing magnetic fields to control birefringence.

Contribution

It introduces a new magneto-optical device based on EuTiO3 films that can modulate light with small magnetic fields at near-room temperatures.

Findings

Birefringence can be switched off and on with small magnetic fields.

Rotation in magnetic fields modifies birefringence.

Birefringence increased by a factor of 4 with modest fields, raising operating temperature by 100K.

Abstract

The magneto-optical activity of high quality transparent thin films of insulating EuTiO3 (ETO) deposited on a thin SrTiO3 (STO) substrate with both being non-magnetic materials are demonstrated to be a versatile tool for light modulation. The operating temperature is close to room temperature and admits multiple device engineering. By using small magnetic fields birefringence of the samples can be switched off and on. Similarly, rotation of the sample in the field can modify its birefringence {\Delta}n. In addition, {\Delta}n can be increased by a factor of 4 in very modest fields with simultaneously enhancing the operating temperature by almost 100K.