TY - JOUR
T1 - Magnetic-field-induced optical transmittance in colloidal suspensions
AU - Martin, James E.
AU - Hill, Kimberly M.
AU - Tigges, Chris P.
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - Through simulation and experiment we demonstrate that when a magnetic field is applied to a suspension of magnetic particles, the optical attenuation length along the direction of the field increases dramatically, due to the formation of chainlike structures that allow the transmission of light between the strongly absorbing particles. This phenomenon is interesting for two reasons; first, there might be practical applications for this effect, such as optical-fiber-based magnetic field sensors, and second, measuring the time evolution of the optical attenuation length enables us to determine the kinetics of structure formation, which can be compared to the predictions of simulation and theory. In agreement with both simulation and theory, the optical attenuation length increases as a power of time, but much less light is actually transmitted than expected, especially at higher particle concentrations. We conclude that particle roughness, which is not included in either theory or simulation, plays a significant role in structural development, by pinning structures into local minima.
AB - Through simulation and experiment we demonstrate that when a magnetic field is applied to a suspension of magnetic particles, the optical attenuation length along the direction of the field increases dramatically, due to the formation of chainlike structures that allow the transmission of light between the strongly absorbing particles. This phenomenon is interesting for two reasons; first, there might be practical applications for this effect, such as optical-fiber-based magnetic field sensors, and second, measuring the time evolution of the optical attenuation length enables us to determine the kinetics of structure formation, which can be compared to the predictions of simulation and theory. In agreement with both simulation and theory, the optical attenuation length increases as a power of time, but much less light is actually transmitted than expected, especially at higher particle concentrations. We conclude that particle roughness, which is not included in either theory or simulation, plays a significant role in structural development, by pinning structures into local minima.
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U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevE.59.5676
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevE.59.5676
M3 - Article
C2 - 11969551
AN - SCOPUS:0032606423
SN - 1063-651X
VL - 59
SP - 5676
EP - 5692
JO - Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
JF - Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
IS - 5
ER -