Magneto Optic Characterization And Synthesis Of New Magnetic Room Temperature Ionic Liquids Including Colorless GdDMIMCl For Use In Holey Fiber Isolators

Magnetic room temperature ionic liquids (MRTILs) are relatively new materials that are composed of metal and organic ions and display magnetic properties with high degree of optical transparency. The project goal is to synthesize new liquids and characterize the magneto optic (MO) and chemical properties of the MRTILs for future use in Holey fiber liquid core isolators. Work by the group produced four new MRTILs; CoBMIMCl, ErBMIMCl, NiBMIMCl, and the first colorless magnetic liquid GdDMIMCl (BMIM: 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium, DMIM: 1-decyl-3-methyl-imidazolium). GdDMIMCl being colorless could potentially be used to fabricate a compact liquid based low loss isolator for a broad wavelength region (Vis-NIR) otherwise difficult using traditional materials such as Garnet crystals.  We are characterizing the liquids using UV-Vis-NIR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) in addition to Raman spectroscopy. EDS, Raman and FTIR spectra showed that the liquids only contained the metal, chloride, and organic material from the BMIM and DMIM. SEM mapping of the liquids suggested that the liquids have uniform composition. Single wavelength Faraday rotation measurements will be implemented to determine the Verdet constant of the GdDMIMCl liquid. MO characterization, currently under progress, will show if the liquid is a feasible material to produce 45º polarization rotation required for the isolator. In conclusion, the novel colorless liquid GdDMIMCl is a promising liquid for use in liquid core Holey fiber isolators and further characterization of GdDMIMCl will be conducted.