Numerical investigation of optically induced microconvection in thin ferrofluid layers

We consider a periodic concentration grating induced in a thin layer of ferrofluid by an optical grating of interfering laser beams under the action of an externally applied uniform magnetic field. The direction of the applied field is parallel to the concentration gradient. Under certain conditions microconvective instability may develop during relaxation of the grating, driven by the internal demagnetizing field due to the nonhomogenous distribution of concentration. A series of numerical simulations has been performed to determine the role of microconvection in the dissipation of the concentration grating.