Unraveling the Effect of Circularly Polarized Light on Reciprocal Media: Breaking Time Reversal Symmetry with Non-Maxwellian Magnetic-esque Fields

TL;DR

This paper explores how intense circularly polarized light induces non-Maxwellian magnetic-like fields in materials, breaking time-reversal symmetry and causing observable Faraday-rotation effects, with implications for understanding light-matter interactions.

Contribution

It reveals that circularly polarized light generates large non-Maxwellian fields that mimic magnetic fields and break time-reversal symmetry, a novel insight into optical effects in materials.

Findings

Large non-Maxwellian fields disrupt time-reversal symmetry.

Induced fields cause Faraday-rotation-like phenomena.

Experimental magnetization exceeds theoretical predictions.

Abstract

Optical rectification of intense, circularly polarized light penetrating a material generates a static magnetic field aligned with the light's direction and proportional to its intensity. Recent experiments have unveiled a substantial, orders-of-magnitude gap between the observed magnetization and theoretical predictions. In this study, we demonstrate that circularly polarized light creates large non-Maxwellian fields that disrupt time-reversal symmetry, effectively mimicking authentic magnetic fields within the material while eluding detection externally. These unconventional fields give rise to Faraday-rotation-like phenomena, which are a high-frequency manifestation of Berry's curvature.