The Metal Nanoparticle (MNP) simulator is a GUI written by Guido Goldoni in Matlab as part of the NANOLAB project (www.nanolab.unimore.it).

MNP allows to simulate the absorption, extinction and scattering spectra of metallic nanoparticles dispersed in a solution. The material and size of the nanoparticles can be changed, as well as the type of solution, to highlight the size dependence of the optical properties of nano-materials, and their possible use, e.g., as sensors.

The MNP GUI uses the Mie theory to simulate spherical nanoparticles. MNP also tries to simulate the color of the solution as perceived by the human eye using colorimetric methods. The perceived color depends on the spectrum of the light source, which can also be changed.

• Link (25 May 2012)