Physicists at the City College of New York have discovered that magnets can enhance the interactions of light, potentially leading to technological innovations such as magnetic lasers and new optically controlled magnetic storage. Using a layered magnet containing strongly bound electron-hole pairs in a semiconductor, the researchers were able to capture light and found that these quasi-particles can influence light much more strongly than conventional magnets due to their particularly strong optical interactions. The researchers believe that the enhanced optical reactions in magnets could open up new technological possibilities that could be used in everyday life.
The researchers found that the light is reflected back and forth inside the magnet, which amplifies the interactions. When an external magnetic field is applied, the near-infrared reflection of the light is changed so much that the material practically changes color. This is a strong magneto-optical reaction, which is not typically seen in conventional magnets. Currently, magneto-optical effects require extremely sensitive optical detection systems, but the enhanced optical reactions in magnets could lead to new technological applications that are more practical for everyday use.
The researchers believe that the enhanced optical reactions in magnets could lead to the development of magnetic lasers and the advancement of optically controlled magnetic storage systems. These technological innovations could have a significant impact on various industries, including data storage and telecommunications. The researchers’ findings could also lead to a better understanding of the fundamental properties of light and magnetism, which could have implications for future research in the field.
