Characterization of field-induced needle-like structures in ionic and water-based magnetic fluids

An attempt has been made to characterize the field-induced needle-like stru ctures (secondary cluster SC) in ionic and water-based magnetic fluids (MFs ) using Rayleigh light scattering technique. This technique has the advanta ge of detecting objects smaller than the resolution limit of the optical co lumn. From the observations, it was found that though water is the solvent in both ionic and water-based magnetic fluids, the cluster characteristics under zero and applied magnetic field, their growth and disintegration were different. :(C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.