Reversing the Faraday effect to get an induced current

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of reversing the Faraday effect to induce current in a coil using a variable magnetic field and polarized light. Participants explore the theoretical implications, potential materials, and existing research related to this concept, focusing on applications in the microwave and infrared wavelengths.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes the idea of reversing the Faraday effect by using a variable magnetic field to interact with polarized light to induce current in a coil.
  • Another participant asserts that the concept is akin to an antenna, which generates current through interaction with electromagnetic waves, and references existing research on small antennas that can interact with light.
  • A different participant expresses skepticism about the feasibility of reversing the Faraday effect due to energy considerations but acknowledges the potential of using receiving antennas to extract energy from electromagnetic waves.
  • One participant suggests focusing on micro-antennae at microwave/infrared wavelengths rather than nano-antennae, citing technological challenges in manufacturing nano-structures and the limitations of diodes at high frequencies.
  • There is a mention of the possibility of using crystals that absorb UV light and emit micro/infrared waves to induce current in micro coils, emphasizing the need for proper polarization to maximize the induced flux.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of reversing the Faraday effect, with some supporting the exploration of antennas and others questioning the energy dynamics involved. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical implementation of these ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations related to the technological challenges of creating nano and micro structures, as well as the performance of diodes at high frequencies, which may affect the proposed methods of inducing current.

romeo17
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Hi all!
I was thinking if it is possible to revert the Faraday effect.
If I have a magnetic field, it interacts with EM wave (light) by changing its polarisation.

Can I got a variable magnetic field interacting with polarised light so that I can get induced current in a coil?

I can understand it is something similar to Nantenna, and I can understand that I need nano coils which are difficult to realize but I was thinking more to utilize special materials as mean (or crystals) to be at the right wave length to get induced current in a coil.

Is there any research in this? any link to suggest to me?
 
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It is not just "something similar to" an antenna, it is an antenna. This is what an antenna does - it generates a current by interacting with an EM wave. There is certainly research on making antennas small enough to interact with light, such as this article.
 
romeo17 said:
Hi all!
I was thinking if it is possible to revert the Faraday effect.
If I have a magnetic field, it interacts with EM wave (light) by changing its polarisation.

Can I got a variable magnetic field interacting with polarised light so that I can get induced current in a coil?

I can understand it is something similar to Nantenna, and I can understand that I need nano coils which are difficult to realize but I was thinking more to utilize special materials as mean (or crystals) to be at the right wave length to get induced current in a coil.

Is there any research in this? any link to suggest to me?
Faraday Effect is when we apply a very strong magnetic field to a transparent material and observe a slight rotation of polarisation. The reverse process does not seem likely due to the relative energies involved. On the other hand, as has been mentioned, we can use receiving antennas which are similar in size to the wavelength, including coils, to extract energy from an EM wave. I think a difficulty with optical frequencies is making low loss transmission lines for the received power.
 
Thanks both for the kind answers and article.

Well, I was thinking to have coils thickness at microwaves/infrared wavelength (micro-antenna), not at UV (nano-antenna).
I read that the issue with Nantenna are technological 1. nano-structures difficult to manufacture 2. diods are too slow to produce direct current at high frequency

If there is a crystal that absorbes UV and issue micro/infrared waves (luminescence) it should induce current in micro coils.
I think it should be properly polarized to maximize the delta flux in the coil.

I was wandering if someone of you know some research/article on this specific matter.
 

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