Magneto‐optical properties of Bi‐YIG nanoparticle with polymethacrylate matrix materials

New magneto‐optical Bi1.8Y1.2Fe5O12 nanoparticle hybridized materials have been developed which are composed of the nanoparticles and methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate matrix with poly(methyl methacrylate). The Bi1.8Y1.2Fe5O12 nanoparticles were prepared with coprecipitation and heat‐treatment processes. The hybridized systems were prepared by a mechanical milling process. The magneto‐optical properties of the solidified clear materials were measured. The Faraday rotation angle θF was about 19°/cm and the figure of merit θF/α was about 1.3° at 520 nm for the Bi1.8Y1.2Fe5O12 nanoparticle and ethyl methaclyrate hybrid material. These hybrid material systems have the very attractive feature of an easy molding ability. This property is important for mass production processes of magneto‐optical devices. The Bi‐YIG nanoparticle dispersed fluid and its stiffened bulk material are new promising magneto‐optical materials. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)