Advantage of the Intensive Light Scattering by Plasmonic Nanoparticles in Velocimetry

Tracers are one of the critical factors for improving the performance of velocimetry. Silver and gold nanoparticles as tracers with localized surface-plasmon resonance are analyzed for their scattering properties. The scattering cross sections, angular distribution of the scattering, and equivalent scattering cross sections from 53° and 1.5° half-angle cones at 532 nm are calculated, with particle sizes in the nanoscale range. The 53° and 1.5° half-angle cones used as examples correspond respectively to the collection cones for microscope objectives in microscopic measurements and camera lenses in macroscopic measurements. We find that there is a transitional size near 35 nm when comparing the equivalent scattering cross sections between silver and gold nanoparticles in water at 532 nm. The equivalent scattering cross section of silver nanoparticles is greater or smaller than that of gold nanoparticles when the particle radius is greater or smaller than 35 nm respectively. When the radius of the plasmonic nanoparticles is smaller than about 44 nm, their equivalent scattering cross sections are at least ten times that of TiO₂ nanoparticles. Plasmonic nanoparticles are promising for velocimetry applications.