The magneto-optical properties of magnetic colloid patterns deposited on ferrimagnetic crystal surfaces

Bitter patterns formed on garnet and orthoferrite crystals demonstrate a birefringent property under the influence of the local magnetic stray field. The magneto-optical properties of the colloid deposits have been studied, particularly the phase change introduced into incident plane polarised light. A compensator was used for this purpose and measurements made as a function of colloid concentration. Birefringent effects were detectable in water based ferrofluid diluted by as much as 1000 to 1.