Faraday rotation in magnetite-polymethylmethacrylate core-shell nanocomposites with high optical quality

Wavelength dependent Faraday rotation measured at room temperature in a polymer containing varying concentrations of crosslinked magnetite core poly(3-methyl)methacrylate (PMMA) shell nanocomposite particles is reported. The magnitude of the FR in these composites appears to be strongly dependent on the concentration of the particles, the wavelength of measurement, and the size and shape of the nanoparticles. Comparison of the figure of merit of 2.1° in these core-shell nanocomposites to that of 4.2° for yttrium iron garnet at 980 nm indicates that these nanocomposites may find applications in various magnetic and magneto-optic sensors and devices.

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