On the time evolution of transmittivity in magnetic fluids

When a magnetic fluid is subjected to a magnetic field, a part of the magnetic particles in the fluid agglomerates to form chains. Thus, the ferrofluid becomes optically anisotropic. In this work we describe optically observed patterns in some magnetic fluid films in applied parallel magnetic fields and optical effects of these, especially the optical transmittance. The most interesting experimental observation is that concerning the time dependence of relative transmittivity . For kerosene base ferrofluids relax rapidly at coupling and decoupling magnetic field, but for a transformer-oil magnetic fluid the relaxation times can attain (5–10) minutes, depending on the intensity of applied magnetic field.