Dynamics of field-induced ordering in magnetic colloids studied by new time-resolved small-angle neutron-scattering techniques

The reversal of magnetic moments of nanoparticles in concentrated Co ferrofluids was monitored in an oscillating magnetic field by new time-resolved stroboscopic small-angle neutron-scattering techniques. Time resolution in the mu s range was achieved by using a pulsed beam technique, TISANE, while in continuous mode resolution was limited by the wavelength spread to about 1 ms. The frequency dependence of anisotropic scattering patterns has been modeled using Langevin dynamics. The dynamics follows a two step mechanism: field-induced ordering is governed by fast Brownian rotation of nanoparticles with a characteristic time of about 160 mu s. Magnetic relaxation of locally ordered domains of about 100 nm in size takes place within a few seconds by Brownian rotation or by Neel type rotation of magnetic moments.