Natural layer-by-layer photonic structure in the scales of <i>Hoplia coerulea</i> (Coleoptera)

Jean Pol Vigneron; Virginie Lousse; Jean-François Colomer; Nathalie Vigneron

doi:10.1117/12.682239

14 August 2006 Natural layer-by-layer photonic structure in the scales of Hoplia coerulea (Coleoptera)

Jean Pol Vigneron, Virginie Lousse, Jean-François Colomer, Nathalie Vigneron

Proceedings Volume 6285, The Nature of Light: Light in Nature; 628506 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.682239
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Hoplia coerulea is known for its spectacular blue-violet iridescence. The blue coloration is caused by the presence of a photonic structure inside the scales which cover the dorsal parts of the insect's body, including the head, the thorax, and the wing cases. The structure can be described by a stack of chitin plates wearing arrays of parallel rods. This arrangement leads to a multilayer structure which only uses a single solid material. The shift of the reflected wavelength to the ultraviolet (passing through violet iridescence) is described and explained on the basis of the optical properties of this structured metamaterial.

Citation Download Citation

Jean Pol Vigneron, Virginie Lousse, Jean-François Colomer, and Nathalie Vigneron "Natural layer-by-layer photonic structure in the scales of Hoplia coerulea (Coleoptera)", Proc. SPIE 6285, The Nature of Light: Light in Nature, 628506 (14 August 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.682239

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