title: Observation of magnetoelectric directional anisotropy.
abstract: We report the first observation of a new optical phenomenon, magnetoelectric directional anisotropy (MEA). MEA is a polarization-independent anisotropy which occurs in crossed electric field E and magnetic field B perpendicular to the wave vector k of the light. It is described by a contribution to the refractive index of the form (delta)n=(gamma)k x E x B. Our experiment was performed on a Er(1.5)Y(1.5)Al(5)O(12) crystal, but MEA should exist in all media. The relation of this new effect with recently discovered magnetoelectric birefringence is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Grenoble High Magnetic Field Laboratory, MPI-FKF/CNRS, 25 Avenue des Martyrs, F-38042 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: G L J A
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Rikken
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Strohm
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wyder