A new magneto-optical effect in birefringent crystals doped with paramagnetic impurities

The influence of a strong pulsed magnetic field on the birefringence of crystals has been investigated experimentally. A new magneto-optical effect has been found for the first time: the change in the optical indicatrices of birefringent quartz crystals and potassium yttrium and potassium gadolinium tungstates doped with paramagnetic impurities (iron for quartz and ytterbium for tungstates) under a single pulse of a magnetic field with an induction of 40 T. These changes are retained for a long time after switching off the magnetic field and appear to be irreversible.