Changing the direction of light

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A magnetic field can influence the direction of light when it interacts with a medium like plasma, altering the index of refraction. This effect is utilized in magneto-optic materials, which can change the polarization of electromagnetic waves. However, a magnetic field alone does not change light's direction according to classical Maxwell's equations. The interaction with other materials that respond to magnetic fields introduces different mechanisms. Understanding these principles is crucial for applications in optics and photonics.
adn
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Hi,

Can a magnet change the direction of light (generally, photon or maybe electromagnetic wave)? _if yes, how? _

--adn
 
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A magnetic field can change the direction of light propagtion - if it's in a medium such as plasma. In effect, the index of refraction is changed by the magnetic field.
 
Magneto-optic materials can change the polarisation of an EM waves, which can - using other polarisation dependant optics (such as a birefringent crystal) change the direction of propagation of an em wave.

Claude.
 
Be very careful with the two answers given above. A magnetic field, by itself, has no ability to change the direction of light based on the classical Maxwell Equation. The presence of another material that changes its properties due to a magnetic field has a whole different set of mechanism involved.

Zz.
 
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