Optical magnetoelectric effect in multiferroic materials: evidence for a Lorentz force acting on a ray of light.
We theoretically propose that the optical analog of a Lorentz force acting on a ray of light is realized in multiferroic materials such as GaFeO3 showing the magnetoelectric effect. The toroidal moment T --> = sigma(j)r(j) x S(j) plays the role of a "vector potential," while its rotation corresponds to a "magnetic field" for photons. Hence, the light is subject to the Lorentz force when propagating through the domain wall region of the ferromagnetic or ferroelectric order. A realistic estimate on the magnitude of this effect is given.
Sawada
Kei
K
Department of Applied Physics, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. sawada@appi.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Nagaosa
Naoto
N