FIELD-INDUCED LABYRINTHINE PATTERNS IN FERROFLUID EMULSIONS

Abstract

A ferrofluid emulsion goes through gas — solid phase transition when an external magnetic field is applied. The solid structures are observed as either column, bent-wall, or labyrinthine patterns. The appearance of these different patterns depend upon the rate of the field applied, thickness of the sample cell along the field direction, and the volume fraction of the emulsion droplets used. Using optical microscopy, formed patterns are recorded and analyzed in which a “phase” diagram of the structural transition from column to bent-wall is measured.