Paramagnetic liquid bridge in a gravity-compensating magnetic field

Abstract

Magnetic levitation was used to stabilize cylindrical columns of a paramagnetic liquid in air between two solid supports. The maximum achievable length to diameter ratio Rmax was ∼(3.10±0.07), very close to the Rayleigh–Plateau limit of π. For smaller R, the stability of the column was measured as a function of the Bond number, which could be continuously varied by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field.