Dispersion Relation of a Ferrofluid Layer of Any Thickness and Viscosity in a Normal Magnetic Field; Asymptotic Regimes

Abstract

We have calculated the general dispersion relationship for surface waves on a ferrofluid layer of any thickness and viscosity, under the influence of a uniform vertical magnetic field. The amplification of these waves can induce an instability called peaks instability (Rosensweig instability). The expression of the dispersion relationship requires that the critical magnetic field and the critical wavenumber of the instability depend on the thickness of the ferrofluid layer. The dispersion relationship has been simplified into four asymptotic regimes: thick or thin layer and viscous or inertial behaviour. The corresponding critical values are presented. We show that a typical parameter of the ferrofluid enables one to know in which regime, viscous or inertial, the ferrofluid will be near the onset of instability.