Bi-YIG magneto-optical coated films for visual applications

Garnet fine particles of Bi/sub 18/Y/sub 12/Fe/sub 5/O/sub 12/ were prepared by coprecipitation and annealing processes, and were coated on glass or plastic substrates. The annealing was carried out at 650/spl deg/C for 4 h. The obtained particles were identified as garnet by X-ray diffraction. The coated films showed a Faraday rotation of 1 degree in the visible wavelength region. A magnetic field pattern was observed by using a MO film coated on a plastic substrate. The demonstration was made with reflected light. It is expected that Bi-YIG coated films are suitable for a large-size visual MO devices.