Comprehensive analysis of retroreflection in Papilio crino Fabricius, 1792 wings |
| |
| Authors: | Juliet Sackey Kwadwo A Dompreh Malik Maaza |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS‐National Research Foundation, Old Faure Road,7129, Somerset West South Africa ; 2. UNESCO‐UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria South Africa ; 3. Department of Physics, University of Cape Coast, Ghana |
| |
| Abstract: | Multilayer thin‐film structures in the wings of a butterfly; Papilio crino produce a colourful iridescence from reflected light. In this investigation, scanning electron microscope images show both the concave cover scales and pigmented air‐chamber ground scales. The microstructures with the concavities retroreflect incident light, thus causing the double reflection. This gives rise to both the colour mixing and polarisation conversion clearly depicted in the optical images. The result of the numerical and theoretical analysis via the CIELAB, and optical reflection and transmission of light through the multilayer stacks with the use of transfer method show that the emerging colouration on the Papilio crino is structural and is due to the combination of colours caused by multiple bounces within the concavities. The butterfly wing structure can be used as the template for designing the photonic device.Inspec keywords: bio‐optics, scanning electron microscopy, photodiodes, optical sensors, optical images, light reflection, reflectivity, colour, optical links, multilayers, optical multilayers, light polarisationOther keywords: pigmented air‐chamber ground scales, concavities, incident light, double reflection, colour mixing, polarisation conversion, optical images, numerical analysis, theoretical analysis, optical reflection, multilayer stacks, emerging colouration, butterfly wing structure, papilio crino fabricius, thin‐film structures, colourful iridescence, reflected light, electron microscope images, concave cover scales |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
