An optical investigation of the geometric characteristics of aggregates formed by particles of magnetic fluid

We have studied the dimensions of elements of a structure formed by particles of a colloidal solution of magnetite under the action of a magnetic field. The pattern observed in a thin layer of this fluid illuminated by a focused laser beam was characteristic of diffraction on the infinitely long dielectric cylinder that was used for determining the dimensions of separate aggregates. The obtained results proved to be well consistent with the values determined by means of optical microscopy.