Unstable waves at the interface of a diamagnetic liquid column contained in a magnetic fluid

A magnetically held pipeless fluid transporting system is a potentially useful noncontact technique in science and technology. Keeping a stable interface between the diamagnetic liquid column and the surrounding magnetic fluid is essential. The present study gives an experimental study on the unstable interfacial wave leading to discontinuity of a liquid column maintained in a magnetic fluid by a non-uniform magnetic field. The experiments were carried out by setting two magnetic north poles in opposite position to produce the magnetic field, using water to form the diamagnetic liquid column, and a diluted kerosene-base magnetic fluid as the surrounding fluid. Unstable interfacial waves were measured. It was found that the magnetic pressure acting on the interface can stabilise the interface. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical stability condition derived from a two-fluids model.