What causes faraday effect quantum mechanically?

[Jerrynap]

Hi guys,

I know Faraday effect is the rotation of the plane polarization of light when the light passes through a transparent medium and a magnetic field is applied in the direction of the propagation. What actually causes it at the quantum level? Is it Zeeman effect or something similar?

Thanks!

 

[Spinnor]

I hope I will be corrected if wrong. A linear state is equal amounts of R and L polarized states along with a phase difference determining the specific linear state? The R and L states have different phase changes on passing through the transparent medium from the magnetic field and so the final linear state will in general be different for the initial state. The R and L states make electrons circulate in opposite directions and either increase or decrease the applied magnetic field energy.

Edit, increase or decrease the total magnetic field energy.

This now has to be translated into mathematics.