Optical imaging of inhomogeneous magnetic fields through the deformation of paramagnetic liquid films.

A new quantitative method for optical imaging of inhomogeneous weak magnetic fields has been developed, using a thin paramagnetic liquid film on a surface in the region of the magnetic field. The deformation of the paramagnetic liquid film reveals the magnetic field distribution. The measurements were made interferometrically using a version of the Michelson interferometer through which an image could be observed. The expected theoretical behavior was developed, and the method was investigated experimentally using two different liquids in two temperature regions.