Electric dipole moments of particle aggregates in magnetite colloidal solutions in liquid dielectrics

The permanent electric moments and the electric polarizability anisotropy of particle aggregates are determined from the results of measuring the birefringence of a magnetite colloidal solution in kerosene subjected to constant and pulsed electric fields. A possible mechanism of generating an induced dipole moment in the aggregates is analyzed. The moment is characterized by a long relaxation time and, according to the results of optical experiments, is interpreted as permanent. The calculated dipole moments are consistent with the experimental data in the order of magnitude.