Light transmission of the marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii

Shih-Hsin Hsu; Camille Paoletti; Moacir Torres; Raymond J. Ritchie; Anthony W. D. Larkum; Christian Grillet

doi:10.1117/12.915044

4 April 2012 Light transmission of the marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii

Shih-Hsin Hsu, Camille Paoletti, Moacir Torres, Raymond J. Ritchie, Anthony W. D. Larkum, Christian Grillet

Proceedings Volume 8339, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2012; 83390F (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.915044
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The results of a detailed investigation of light transmission behavior of a centric marine diatom species Coscinodiscus wailesii are reported. We measured 3-dimentional intensity distributions of both broadband and monochromatic light transmitted through individual valves of the diatom in air and water. Cross-sectional intensity profiles of transmitted light indicates valves of C. wailesii can concentrate light into certain regions. At a distance from the valve shorter than its diameter, light intensities close to the optical axis are relatively higher than those in the surrounds; at a longer distance, transmitted light intensities display ring-shaped profiles. The distance showing this light concentration characteristic becomes shorter as the wavelength of incoming light goes up. These results may offer insight into the understanding of biological functions of diatom frustules' intricate structures and inspire new optical biomimetic applications.

Citation Download Citation

Shih-Hsin Hsu, Camille Paoletti, Moacir Torres, Raymond J. Ritchie, Anthony W. D. Larkum, and Christian Grillet "Light transmission of the marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii", Proc. SPIE 8339, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2012, 83390F (4 April 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.915044

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