Strong magneto-optical response enabled by quantum two level systems

TL;DR

This paper proposes a composite material system with a significantly enhanced magneto-optical response by leveraging quantum two-level systems and plasmon resonance, addressing the weakness of natural materials in optical magneto-optical effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel composite system that combines quantum two-level systems with plasmonic resonances to greatly amplify magneto-optical responses.

Findings

Achieves magneto-optical response orders of magnitude stronger than natural materials.

Utilizes resonant interplay between quantum electronic transitions and classical plasmonic response.

Provides a theoretical framework for designing advanced magneto-optical materials.

Abstract

The magneto-optical effect breaks time-reversal symmetry, a unique property that makes it indispensable in nonreciprocal optics and topological photonics. Unfortunately, all natural materials have a rather weak magneto-optical response in the optical frequency range, posing a significant challenge to the practical application of many emerging device concepts. Here we theoretically propose a composite material system that exhibits an intrinsic magneto-optical response orders of magnitude stronger than most magneto-optical materials used today. This is achieved by tailoring the resonant interplay between the quantum electrodynamics of electronic transitions in two-level systems and the classical electromagnetic response of local plasmon resonance.