Optimal sizes of gold nanoparticles for laser treatment of tumors

Abstract

In the present paper, the problem of laser treatment of tumors by means of gold nanoparticles is discussed. One of the mechanisms of cancerous cells destruction is formation of small bubbles on cell membranes and inside cells around gold nanoparticles induced by laser pulse absorption by the particles. It is shown by Mie theory calculations that the optimal spectral region for such tumor treatment is within 400 - 550 nm with the corresponding nanoparticles sizes to be 30 - 40 nm. The appropriate durations of laser pulses for such kind of laser therapy are under 1 ns in this spectral region.