Faraday rotation and magnetic properties of erbium gallium gallate under high magnetic field

Abstract

Magnetization (M) and Faraday rotation (FR) have been measured in Er3Ga5O12 single crystals in the 4.2–300 K temperature range under high dc magnetic field up to 300 kOe. Experimental data are reported for H applied parallel to the [111] and [100] directions at 633 and 550 nm wavelength. A strong anisotropy of both magneto-optical and magnetic properties is observed. At low temperature, FR and M are proportional only when the magnetization is weak (small magnetic field). In medium and high magnetic field, complex relationships between M and FR are found. The magnetization cannot account for the whole Faraday rotation anisotropy. These data are discussed taking into account the magnetic and magneto-optical properties of the isomorphous erbium iron garnet ferrite.