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The photomagnetic effect is a theoretical quantum mechanical effect discovered by the researchers Samuel L. Oliveira and Stephen C. Rand at University of Michigan 2007–2011. The researchers have discovered a powerful magnetic interaction between the photon's dynamic magnetic field – and certain isolator materials' atom's magnetic moment, that is 100 million times stronger than formerly anticipated. Under the proper circumstances, the photon's magnetic fields effect is as strong as their electric field – as e.g. in solar cells.
The discovery is a surprise, because it is not straightforward to derive the strong magnetic effect from the physical equations, and thereby indicate that this quantum mechanical effect would be interesting enough. That is why the photomagnetic effect has been neglected for more than 100 years.
The researchers have theoretically calculated that incoherent light as e.g. sunlight, is almost as efficient as laserlight, to be converted by the photomagnetic effect.
The power density should be 10 million watt per square centimeter, but the researchers will look for new photomagnetic materials, that can work with lower light intensities.
See also
References
- April 13, 2011, ns.umich.edu: Solar power without solar cells: A hidden magnetic effect of light could make it possible
- University of Michigan (2011, April 14). Solar power without solar cells: A hidden magnetic effect of light could make it possible. ScienceDaily Quote: "..."You could stare at the equations of motion all day and you will not see this possibility. We've all been taught that this doesn't happen," said Rand, an author of a paper on the work published in the Journal of Applied Physics. "It's a very odd interaction. That's why it's been overlooked for more than 100 years."..."
- Apr 21, 2011, physicsworld.com: Solar power without solar cells
- Fisher, W. M.; Rand, S. C. (2011). "Optically-induced charge separation and terahertz emission in unbiased dielectrics". Journal of Applied Physics. 109 (6): 064903. Bibcode:2011JAP...109f4903F. doi:10.1063/1.3561505.
...A magneto-electric power generation scheme has been proposed that relies on displacement currents in insulators, and avoids both the absorption and the electron-hole pair production that typify semiconducting solar cells...
(referred reference: Oliveira, Samuel L.; Rand, Stephen C. (2007). "Intense Nonlinear Magnetic Dipole Radiation at Optical Frequencies: Molecular Scattering in a Dielectric Liquid". Physical Review Letters. 98 (9): 093901. Bibcode:2007PhRvL..98i3901O. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.093901. PMID 17359156....Large magnetic response is very unexpected at optical frequencies, and should lead to the discovery of new magneto-optical phenomena and the realization of low-loss homogeneous optical media with negative refractive indices...
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