Equilibrium configurations in a magnetic fluid-based field mapping and gas pressure measuring system: Experiment and simulations

Abstract

In this work, we present a measurement system based on the thin layer of magnetic fluid aimed at scanning either the non-uniform magnetic field distribution applicable for magnetic levitation systems (MagLev) or determining small excess gas pressure. The key idea is based on the photo registration of a transparent air-filled cavity formed in a thin magnetic fluid layer due to balancing the gas pressure and the pressure emerging due to magnetic forces. As a result, the contour of the magnetic field lines in 3D space is visible. It is shown that the theoretical analysis and numerical simulations are consistent with experimental results.