Photonic structures in biology

Pete Vukusic () and J. Roy Sambles
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Pete Vukusic: Thin Film Photonics, School of Physics, Exeter University
J. Roy Sambles: Thin Film Photonics, School of Physics, Exeter University

Nature, 2003, vol. 424, issue 6950, 852-855

Abstract: Abstract Millions of years before we began to manipulate the flow of light using synthetic structures, biological systems were using nanometre-scale architectures to produce striking optical effects. An astonishing variety of natural photonic structures exists: a species of Brittlestar uses photonic elements composed of calcite to collect light, Morpho butterflies use multiple layers of cuticle and air to produce their striking blue colour and some insects use arrays of elements, known as nipple arrays, to reduce reflectivity in their compound eyes. Natural photonic structures are providing inspiration for technological applications.

Date: 2003
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DOI: 10.1038/nature01941

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