Optical magnetization, part III: theory of molecular magneto-electric rectification

A fully quantized analysis is presented of induced magneto-electric rectification in individual diatomic molecules in the steady-state regime. Good agreement is obtained between this quantum theory and a classical model that includes the same key kinematic elements but predicts temporal dynamics as well. At the molecular level, an enhanced magneto-electric optical interaction driven by dual optical fields E and H^* is shown to give rise to a static electric dipole (ED) moment oriented along the propagation direction of linearly-polarized light in dielectric materials. This longitudinal Hall effect or "charge separation" interaction is quadratic with respect to the incident field strength and exhibits an induced moment that is limited by the ED transition moment of the molecular resonance. Overall, the two-photon dynamics can be described as first establishing an electric polarization and imparting orbital angular momentum on which the magnetic field exerts torque in the excited state of the molecule. Magnetic torque mediates an exchange of orbital and rotational angular momenta that de-excites the molecule and simultaneously enhances magneto-electric rectification. Material properties that affect magneto-electric response at the molecular level are identified.