Thermoconvective instability of paramagnetic fluids in a nonuniform magnetic field

The effect of a static, nonuniform magnetic field on a laterally unbounded nonconducting paramagnetic fluid layer heated from below or above is studied using a linear stability analysis of the Navier-Stokes equations supplemented by Maxwell’s equations and the appropriate magnetic body force. Buoyancy-driven convection can be controlled by subjecting the layer to a nonuniform magnetic field. Theoretical predictions agree with experimental observations.