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Optics & Photonics * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- November 19, 2025 The GIST New magnetic component discovered in the Faraday effect after nearly two centuries by Hebrew University of Jerusalem edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan [llock] Lisa Lock scientific editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process [Robert] Robert Egan associate editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread New magnetic component discovered in the faraday effect after nearly two centuries Faraday effect. Credit: Enrique Sahagun Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered that the magnetic component of light plays a direct role in the Faraday effect, overturning a 180-year-old assumption that only its electric field mattered. Their findings, published in Scientific Reports, show that light can magnetically influence matter, not just illuminate it. The discovery opens new possibilities in optics, spintronics, and quantum technologies. The study was led by Dr. Amir Capua and Benjamin Assouline from the Institute of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It presents the first theoretical proof that the oscillating magnetic field of light directly contributes to the Faraday effect, a phenomenon in which the polarization of light rotates as it passes through a material exposed to a constant magnetic field. "In simple terms, it's an interaction between light and magnetism," explains Dr. Capua. "The static magnetic field 'twists' the light, and the light, in turn, reveals the magnetic properties of the material. What we've found is that the magnetic part of light has a first-order effect, it's surprisingly active in this process." Since its discovery in 1845 by the British scientist Michael Faraday, the effect has been attributed to the interaction between the electric field of light and the electric charges in matter. However, the new research demonstrates that the magnetic field of light, long thought irrelevant, makes a direct and measurable contribution to this effect whereby it interacts with the spins. Using advanced calculations based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation, which describes the motion of spins in magnetic systems, the researchers showed that the magnetic field of light can generate a magnetic torque inside the material, just like a static magnetic field. "In other words," says Capua, "light doesn't just illuminate matter, it magnetically influences it." To quantify this influence, the team applied their model to Terbium Gallium Garnet (TGG), a crystal widely used to measure the Faraday effect. They found that the magnetic field of light accounts for about 17% of the observed rotation at visible wavelengths and up to 70% in the infrared range. "Our results show that light 'talks' to matter not only through its electric field, but also through its magnetic field, a component that has been largely overlooked until now," says Assouline. The discovery opens the door to new possibilities in optics and magnetism, including applications in spintronics, optical data storage, and light-based magnetic control. It may even contribute to future spin-based quantum computing technologies. More information: Faraday Effects Emerging from the Optical Magnetic Field, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-24492-9 Journal information: Scientific Reports Provided by Hebrew University of Jerusalem Citation: New magnetic component discovered in the Faraday effect after nearly two centuries (2025, November 19) retrieved 24 November 2025 from https://phys.org/news/ 2025-11-magnetic-component-faraday-effect-centuries.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. 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Calculations indicate this magnetic contribution accounts for up to 17% of polarization rotation at visible wavelengths and up to 70% in the infrared, suggesting new avenues for optical and spintronic technologies. This summary was automatically generated using LLM. Full disclaimer Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (optional, only if you'd like a response) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. 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