Structure of ferrofluid nanofilms in homogeneous magnetic fields.
We report molecular dynamics simulations results for model ferrofluid films subject to an external, homogeneous magnetic field directed parallel or perpendicular to the film surfaces. The interactions between the magnetic nanoparticles are modeled via the Stockmayer potential. In a previous study [J. Jordanovic and S. H. L. Klapp, Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 038302 (2008)] we have shown that an external field can control the number and internal structure of the layers characterizing the fluid films, in qualitative agreement with experiments. Here we explore the dependence of the layering effects on thermodynamic conditions, and we analyze the results from an energetic (microscopic and macroscopic) perspective. As a special case we investigate a monolayer to bilayer transition induced via a perpendicular field.
Jordanovic
Jelena
J
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-14195 Berlin, Germany.
Klapp
Sabine H L
SH