Magneto‐optical properties of Bi‐YIG nanoparticle with polymethacrylate matrix materials

Abstract

Abstract New magneto‐optical Bi 1.8 Y 1.2 Fe 5 O 12 nanoparticle hybridized materials have been developed which are composed of the nanoparticles and methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate matrix with poly(methyl methacrylate). The Bi 1.8 Y 1.2 Fe 5 O 12 nanoparticles were prepared with coprecipitation and heat‐treatment processes. The hybridized systems were prepared by a mechanical milling process. The magneto‐optical properties of the solidified clear materials were measured. The Faraday rotation angle θ F was about 19°/cm and the figure of merit θ F / α was about 1.3° at 520 nm for the Bi 1.8 Y 1.2 Fe 5 O 12 nanoparticle and ethyl methaclyrate hybrid material. These hybrid material systems have the very attractive feature of an easy molding ability. This property is important for mass production processes of magneto‐optical devices. The Bi‐YIG nanoparticle dispersed fluid and its stiffened bulk material are new promising magneto‐optical materials. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)