Metrological characterization of micro particles by direct simulation Monte Carlo

M.D. Mikrenska (a), P.I. Koulev (a), J.-B. Renard (b)

a Institute of Mechanics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 1113, BG
b Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement, CNRS, 45071 Orléans, FR

Abstract

Knowledge of the individual micro particle’s properties is essential for many applications: medicine and pharmacology (ceramic implants, drug delivery, etc.); micro technologies (polymer, ceramic and composite materials micro manufacture); environment developments. Our study demonstrates the potential of the numerical simulation of single light scattering as a characterization and metrological tool for different types of micro particles. Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) model for 3-dimensional single scattering of natural light by randomly oriented suspended homogeneous and isotropic particles with different degree of transparency is presented. The macro shapes can vary from sphere to perfect cube including cube with rounded edges. The micro shape is characterized by roughness in varying degrees. The computer model is validated by comparison with experimental results. Great number of numerical simulations is done and a data base containing polarization phase functions of particles with various size, shape and optical properties is created. The presented numerical technique is applicable to characterization and identification of microparticles of powder materials both of technological (meals, cements, aerosols, drugs, etc.) and natural (terrestrial and atmospheric dust, atmospheric aerosols, cometary’s dust, etc.) origin. The obtained qualitative and quantitative results could be used for the testing of new measurement instruments. The developed DSMC model could be included into integrated computer systems for particle characterization also.