Core Findings - A research team from Hebrew University of Jerusalem published a paper revealing that the magnetic field of light plays a direct role in the Faraday effect, challenging the long-held belief that only the electric field of light is significant [1][2] - The study confirms that the oscillating magnetic field of light directly contributes to the formation of the Faraday effect, indicating that light can influence matter through its magnetic properties [1] Summary by Sections Faraday Effect - The Faraday effect describes the rotation of the polarization direction of light as it passes through a material in a constant magnetic field, first discovered by Michael Faraday in 1845 [1] - Traditionally, this effect has been attributed solely to the interaction between the electric field of light and the internal charges of the material [1] New Findings - The new research highlights the previously overlooked contribution of the magnetic field of light, which has a measurable impact on the Faraday effect [1][2] - The research utilized the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation to conduct precise calculations, demonstrating that the magnetic field of light can induce magnetic moments within materials, similar to a static magnetic field [1] Experimental Predictions - Calculations indicate that using magnetic materials like gadolinium gallium garnet in repeated Faraday experiments could show that the magnetic contribution of light to the Faraday effect could reach 17% for visible light and up to 70% for infrared light [2] - This suggests that the interaction between light and matter involves both electric and magnetic fields, which have not been fully recognized until now [2] - Igor Rozhansky from the University of Manchester commented that the results are compelling and warrant further experimental verification [2]

Core Insights - The research team from Hebrew University of Jerusalem published a paper revealing that the magnetic field of light plays a direct role in the Faraday effect, challenging the long-held belief that only the electric field of light is significant [1][2]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study theoretically confirms that the oscillating magnetic field of light directly contributes to the formation of the Faraday effect, indicating that light can influence matter through its magnetic properties [1]. - The Faraday effect, discovered by Michael Faraday in 1845, involves the rotation of the polarization direction of light as it passes through a material in a constant magnetic field. The new research highlights the previously overlooked contribution of light's magnetic field [1]. - The research utilized the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation to conduct precise calculations, demonstrating that the magnetic field of light can induce magnetic moments within materials, similar to the effects of a static magnetic field [1]. Group 2: Experimental Predictions - Calculations predict that using magnetic materials like gadolinium gallium garnet in repeated Faraday experiments could show that the magnetic contribution of light to the Faraday effect can reach up to 17% for visible light and as high as 70% for infrared light [2]. - This finding suggests that the interaction between light and matter occurs not only through the electric field but also through the magnetic field, which has been underappreciated historically [2]. - Igor Rozhansky from the University of Manchester commented that the computational results are compelling and warrant further experimental validation, indicating potential new methods for scientists to control the internal spins of materials [2].