Magnetic-optic Materials

Four-fold planar magnetic domains in a bismuth rare-earth iron garnet thick film. Developed by Vincent Fratello and his research team at Integrated Photonics, Inc., the films are an innovative solution to device problems that require high-speed, continuously varying polarization rotation with applied field. Potential applications include inexpensive magnetic and electromagnetic sensors and photonic devices for telecommunications and military applications, including variable optical attenuators, polarization controllers and increased speed magneto-optic switches. This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (grant IIP 04-50470). (Date of Image: 2006)

Credit: Courtesy Integrated Photonics Inc.