Magneto-optic characterization of iron garnet crystals using photoelastic modulation

Depolarization phenomena in demagnetized bulk iron garnet crystals are investigated with the aid of a photoelastic modulator. An experimental configuration which simultaneously measures Faraday rotation and depolarization as a function of applied magnetic field is described. The technique is demonstrated with samples of SF-57 glass, which exhibits no measurable depolarization, and bulk yttrium-iron-garnet, which shows pronounced depolarization in the demagnetized state.<
>