Particle size and magnetic field-induced optical properties of magnetic fluid nanoparticles

Magnetite nanoparticles with diameters of 7, 9, and 12 nm have been prepared by a chemical coprecipitation method. The transmission of light through magnetic fluid containing these nanoparticles has been investigated as a function of film thickness with wavelength between 400 and 750 nm, and applied magnetic fields up to 275 Oe. The transmission threshold shifts to the lower wavelength side with decreasing magnetic fluid film thickness as well as the particle size. For a given film thickness, the transmittance increases with increasing magnetic field for films with a particle size of 7 and 9 nm, but decreases in the 12-nm film. This is attributed to the competition between the van der Waals and dipole-dipole interaction.