Matterwave said:From first reading, it appears that the experiment in question is referring to transmission of a light signal inside different materials with external magnetic fields. It does not appear to say that they detected magnetic deflection of light in vacuum.
When light travels through a medium, such as air or water, it interacts with the surrounding electric and magnetic fields. These fields can cause the light to bend or change direction, a phenomenon known as refraction. This is because the speed of light changes when it passes through different materials, causing it to bend towards or away from the fields.
Electric fields are created by stationary charges, while magnetic fields are created by moving charges. Both fields can cause light to bend, but they have different effects on the direction and polarization of the light. Electric fields typically cause a greater change in the direction of light compared to magnetic fields.
No, light cannot be bent in a vacuum with electric or magnetic fields. This is because a vacuum has no material medium for the light to interact with and experience refraction. However, light can be bent in a vacuum through other means, such as gravitational lensing.
Light bending with electric or magnetic fields is used in various technologies, such as lenses, prisms, and fiber optics. Lenses and prisms use the bending of light to manipulate and focus it, while fiber optics use the phenomenon to transmit information through thin strands of glass or plastic.
Yes, light bending with electric or magnetic fields has several practical applications in daily life. Some examples include the use of lenses in eyeglasses and cameras, the use of prisms in binoculars and telescopes, and the use of fiber optics in internet and communication networks. This phenomenon also plays a crucial role in the functioning of our eyes, allowing us to see objects and images clearly.