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Magnetic Control of Crystal Chirality and the Existence of a Large Magneto-Optical Dichroism Effect in CuB2O4

M. Saito, K. Ishikawa, K. Taniguchi, and T. Arima
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 117402 – Published 12 September 2008
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Abstract

The possibility of a magnetic field controlling the chirality of matter has been debated for a long time. Here, we report the successful induction of chirality in the noncentrosymmetric canted antiferromagnet, CuB2O4, by application of a low intensity static magnetic field. The chirality is reversed by a 90° rotation of the direction of the magnetic field. The induction of chirality by a magnetic field gives rise to a gigantic enhancement of magnetochiral dichroism in this material. The ability to switch handedness in combination with this large magnetochiral optical effect allows us to design new optical devices such as a magnetically controllable isolator.

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  • Received 23 April 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.117402

©2008 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Chiral contortions

Published 15 September 2008

Scientists in Japan have discovered a material with magnetically switchable optical dichroism that is four orders of magnitude larger than what has been seen before.

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Authors & Affiliations

M. Saito, K. Ishikawa, K. Taniguchi, and T. Arima

  • Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 11 — 12 September 2008

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