Can electromagnetism bend light?

TiredThinker August 23, 2022 at 04:35 925 views 5 comments

More of a science question, but I was curious if magnet fields can bend light in such a way that a lens might not be needed? If so, it would make for an interesting alternative to fixed lenses with only one magnification.

Comments (5)

Agent Smith August 23, 2022 at 06:38 #732146 0 likes

Diffraction?

TiredThinker August 24, 2022 at 05:17 #732534 0 likes

Not sure. Can a magnet bend light or only matter?

Agent Smith August 24, 2022 at 10:41 #732593 0 likes

Well, here's the deal.

1. Fiber optics: we can change the direction of light (EM radiation) by playing around with medium (making it flexible).

2. High frequency EM waves like [math]\gamma[/math] rays and X-rays have high penetrative power; so you can give up the idea.

Nils Loc August 24, 2022 at 18:17 #732662 0 likes

I bet the answer is a resounding NO! concerning magnet spectacles.

Do electric charges and magnets distort space, in the way that a source of gravity does?

TiredThinker August 26, 2022 at 04:07 #733172 0 likes

I was hoping for something Star Trekie. How else can they magnify so many times? Lol.