Magnetic field effects on viscous fingering of a ferrofluid in a radial Hele-Shaw cell

We have studied the effects of a magnetic field on viscous fingering when a ferrofluid is pushed in a more viscous liquid in a circular Hele-Shaw cell. The main effect of the magnetic field, as already known, is to stabilize interfaces parallel to the field and to destabilize interfaces normal to the field. Depending on the growth regime (quasi static, fingering, dendritic growth), which depends on parameters like the cell thickness and oil viscosity, the combination of field effect and anisotropy is analyzed through the various observed patterns. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.