Physical property of structural color in butterflies

Mei-Ling Lo; Cheng-Chung Lee

doi:10.1117/12.896857

4 October 2011 Physical property of structural color in butterflies

Mei-Ling Lo, Cheng-Chung Lee

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8171, Physical Optics; 817107 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.896857
Event: SPIE Optical Systems Design, 2011, Marseille, France

Abstract

Butterfly's wing has paid great attention due to its unique properties, such as attractive iridescence, super-hydrophobic characteristics, and quick heat dissipation ability. These characteristics are closely related to its structure. The multilayer thin-film structures that make up a butterfly's wing produce a bright iridescence from reflected daylight. In this study, we will introduce the optical effect of viewing angle, structural characterizations and color-producing mechanism. Since the reflectance patterns are extended in angle, we have to use a spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere. According to the result, the peak reflectrance decreasing, blue-shifts and the difference between spectra of p-polarization and the s-polarization was enlarged when the incident angle increasing. In addition, the directional and strongly angle-dependent reflection of the ventral wings suggests the question whether or not the wing reflections may play a role in visual signaling by the butterflies during flight. Furthermore, we determined the shape and surface texture of the scales by scanning electron microscope (SEM). From SEM images, the scales cover the wing membrane and appear to overlap like roof tiles. These nanometer structures of the cover scales will decide the attractive iridescence of the wing.

Citation Download Citation

Mei-Ling Lo and Cheng-Chung Lee "Physical property of structural color in butterflies", Proc. SPIE 8171, Physical Optics, 817107 (4 October 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.896857

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