Experimental investigation of the dilute magnetic fluid transparency in a permanent magnetic field

The variation of light transmission in a magnetite-like magnetic fluid diluted in kerosene under the action of a permanent magnetic field is studied. The change in the optical density versus the field strength for light directed normally and parallel to the field, as well as the dependence of this change versus the angle between the light and field directions, is found experimentally. The variation of the optical density is shown to be related to aggregates present in the magnetic fluid. The magnetic moment of the aggregate is calculated from the experimental data. The calculation results are supported by dynamic light scattering measurements.