An analytic solution for the magnetization of two-dimensional ferrofluids based on the mean spherical approximation

An analytic formula is derived for the magnetization of a two-dimensional dipolar hard disk fluid using a variational functional series expansion of the free energy as a function of the orientational distribution function. The excess term expressing the effect of the intermolecular forces is calculated on the basis of the mean spherical approximation. Comparison with our own Monte Carlo simulation data shows excellent agreement for large external fields and for the zero-field susceptibility. At intermediate field strengths, the agreement is satisfactory for moderate dipole moments and densities. (paper)