Discretized wavevectors in bulk magneto-optics

Abstract

We introduce a wavevector discretization formulation for bulk magneto-optics. The natural discretization described herewith results in a nonlocal complex amplitude superposition of polarization states. Our analysis reveals the emergence of a multiplicity of discretized modes within elliptical and linear polarization pairs. This mode multiplicity is not due to confinement or resonance effects. Rather, it arises from the variance in refractive index for different beam-propagation directions in magneto-optic materials. Theoretical and numerical solutions leading to this result are presented herewith, together with computational verification of the theory applied to bismuth-substituted iron garnets. These results may lead to applications to quantum phenomena with single photons while maintaining a simpler classical architecture.