We report the first observation of a new optical phenomenon, magnetoelectric directional anisotropy (MEA). MEA is a polarization-independent anisotropy which occurs in crossed electric field E and magnetic field B perpendicular to the wave vector k of the light. It is described by a contribution to the refractive index of the form δn=γk·E×B. Our experiment was performed on a Er1.5Y1.5Al₅O₁₂ crystal, but MEA should exist in all media. The relation of this new effect with recently discovered magnetoelectric birefringence is discussed.
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Rikken et al. (2002) studied this question.
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