Quantification of birefringence of magnetic fluid exposed to weak magnetic fields

Abstract

This paper deals with the influence of the magnetic field on the birefringence of a magnetic fluid. The 380µm thick layer of magnetic fluid is inserted between two crossed linear polarizers and illuminated by a white light source. Magnetic fields up to 60mT are applied to the magnetic fluid and the intensity of light passing through the magnetic fluid sample and polarizers is monitored. From the measured dependence of the spectral distribution of light intensity on the magnetic flux, the birefringence of the magnetic fluid is determined as a function of the magnetic flux B for different wavelengths and the dependence is compared with that following from the theory.