The electrical version of Faraday effect is a phenomenon in which the polarization of light passing through a material is rotated when an electric field is applied. This effect is similar to the original Faraday effect, which involves the rotation of light in the presence of a magnetic field.
The electrical version of Faraday effect occurs due to the interaction between the electric field and the electrons in the material. When an electric field is applied, the electrons in the material are displaced, causing a change in the refractive index of the material and thus altering the polarization of the light passing through it.
The electrical version of Faraday effect has several practical applications, including optical isolators, electro-optic modulators, and optical sensors. It is also used in telecommunication systems to compensate for signal distortions caused by fiber optic cables.
The main difference between the electrical and magnetic versions of Faraday effect is the type of field that causes the rotation of light. In the electrical version, it is an electric field, whereas in the magnetic version, it is a magnetic field. Additionally, the amount of rotation is also different, with the electrical version typically producing a smaller rotation.
No, the electrical version of Faraday effect can only be observed in certain materials, such as crystals, liquids, and gases, that have a non-zero electro-optic coefficient. Materials with a high electro-optic coefficient, such as lithium niobate, are commonly used for applications that utilize this effect.