Demagnetizing experiments of yttrium orthoferrites for large aperture magnetooptical switch

Among all magnetooptic materials due to its outstanding properties yttrium orthoferrite is one of the most promising for robust sensor applications. In this paper we report about investigations on the magnetic behavior of single-domain and three-domain yttrium orthoferrite crystals used as Faraday rotator. We exploit the phenomenon of rapid magnetization changes in yttrium orthoferrite crystals which allows toggling between two stable magnetization stages with opposite direction. The paper reveals some magnetic peculiarities of yttrium orthoferrites observed during magnetizing and demagnetizing experiments with crystals of different geometry. Moreover, first results of a switch prototype for large aperture applications are reported.