Researchers at Hebrew University have made a groundbreaking discovery that establishes a previously unknown connection between light and magnetism. This new finding is expected to have significant implications for various industries, including memory technology and sensor development.
Professor Amir Capua, head of the Spintronics Lab at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, announced the team’s pivotal breakthrough. The researchers uncovered a mechanism in which an optical laser beam can control the magnetic state in solids. This discovery challenges conventional thinking and opens up possibilities for the development of light-controlled, high-speed memory technology and innovative optical sensors.
“This breakthrough marks a paradigm shift in our understanding of the interaction between light and magnetic materials,” stated Professor Capua. “It paves the way for light-controlled, high-speed memory technology, notably Magneto resistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), and innovative optical sensor development. In fact, this discovery signals a major leap in our understanding of light-magnetism dynamics.”
The research reveals the overlooked magnetic aspect of light, which has received less attention due to the slower response of magnets compared to the rapid behavior of light radiation. The team discovered that the magnetic component of a rapidly oscillating light wave has the ability to control magnets, redefining physical relations. The strength of the interaction is described by an elementary mathematical relation that factors in the amplitude of the magnetic field of light, its frequency, and the energy absorption of the magnetic material.
The implications of this discovery extend to the realm of data recording and storage. The team believes that ultra-fast and energy-efficient optically controlled MRAM could become a reality, revolutionizing information storage and processing across various sectors. Additionally, the researchers have developed a specialized sensor capable of detecting the magnetic part of light, offering versatility and integration in different applications.
The research was conducted by Benjamin Assouline, a Ph.D. candidate in the Spintronics Lab, who played a vital role in this breakthrough. The team has also applied for several related patents, recognizing the potential impact of their findings.
This work was supported by the Israel Science Foundation, Peter Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research was published in the Physical Review Research under the title “Helicity-dependent optical control of the magnetization state emerging from the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation.”
The source of the article is from the blog guambia.com.uy