Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Measurement of Birefringence Properties in Magnetic Fluid Subjected to Magnetic Field

In this paper, the birefringence properties of the magnetic fluid exposed to magnetic field at 300 K were studied by simulation and experimental measurement. In addition, the arrangement of magnetic particles in the magnetic fluid was simulated using Monte Carlo method, and was verified by the experiment. It was concluded that the change of birefringence is influenced by the anisotropy of the magnetic fluid microstructure in the magnetic field. In addition, the sensitivities of the birefringence in simulation and measurement were 1.2245 × 10^-5/Gs and 4.4 × 10^-6/Gs, respectively, when the magnetic field intensity was in the insensitive interval of 0-300 Gs. In summary, the birefringence of magnetic fluid would increase with the increasing magnetic field intensity, and vice versa. This research on the birefringence characteristics of magnetic fluid could be used in the optical sensing technology.