Magneto-Optical and Magneto-Dielectric Anisotropy Effects in Magnetic Fluids

Abstract

An overview of the magneto-optical and magneto-dielectric effects in magnetic fluids is presented encompassing experimental results and different phenomenological models used to explain these effects. The role of the different parameters on these effects, are
discussed. It is suggested that the field induced-mechanical anisotropy produced by agglomeration and chain formation in magnetic fluids is the main cause for these magnetooptical and magneto-dielectric effects in magnetic fluids.

Keywords: Magneto-optics, Magnetic fluids, Faraday rotation, Faraday ellipticity, Transmission, Optical anisotropy, Birefringence, Dichroism, Degree of polarization, Polarization effects, Magneto-dielectric effects, Dielectric anisotropy, Chain formation.