Analytical Modeling of a Mechanism for Micro Particle Measurement and Separation Using Thermophoresis and Photophoresis

The two thermal effects, thermophoresis and photophoresis phenomena that cause particle movements due to thermal gradient through the liquid and thermal gradient through the particle, respectively, have been widely studied over the past years because of their wide range of applications. This thermal gradient can be made by laser beam. There are a few studies concerning these two effects, especially photophoresis, in liquid media. In this paper, these two effects and their induced velocity to particles are studied in liquid media. The affecting parameters on these effects are studied and their effect on particles are determined. Effect of laser parameters like laser power and wavelength in the channel are discussed and the maximum velocity and temperature inside the channel are calculated. Also in the photophoresis part, the effect of parameters like laser power, particle and laser beam diameter is calculated. By considering the existing models for calculation of thermophoretic velocity, Brenner model is chosen as the most accurate model and will be used in calculations. It is also found that the effect of laser wavelength on thermophoretic velocity is more than changing laser power. In the photophoresis part, photophoretic velocity is calculated by using existing analytical models. The calculated velocities of thermophoresis and photophoresis are compared with the experimental values and there is an acceptable matching between them. The results of this paper will be used for designing and making a particle separator tool.