Faradaykiertymän

Faradaykiertymän refers to the Faraday effect, a phenomenon in physics where a magnetic field causes a rotation in the plane of polarization of light. This occurs when light travels through a material medium that is subjected to a magnetic field parallel to the direction of light propagation. The degree of rotation is proportional to the magnetic field strength, the distance the light travels through the medium, and a material-dependent constant known as the Verdet constant.

The Faraday effect is a type of magneto-optic effect. It is observed across a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, infrared, and radio waves. The interaction is based on the fact that the magnetic field influences the electrons within the material, altering their response to the passing electromagnetic wave. This leads to a differential refractive index for left and right circularly polarized light, which in turn causes the linear polarization to rotate.

This phenomenon has practical applications in various fields. For instance, it is used in optical isolators, devices that allow light to pass in one direction but block it from traveling in the reverse direction. This is crucial in laser systems to prevent unwanted feedback. Faraday rotators are also employed in devices for measuring magnetic fields, such as in current sensors and magnetometers. The strength and direction of the magnetic field can be precisely determined by measuring the angle of rotation of the polarized light.