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Comparison and analysis of Mueller-matrix spectra from exoskeletons of blue, green and red Cetonia aurata
Linköping University, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Applied Optics . Linköping University, The Institute of Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9229-2028
Linköping University, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Applied Optics . Linköping University, The Institute of Technology.
Linköping University, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Applied Optics . Linköping University, The Institute of Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2749-8008
2014 (English)In: Thin Solid Films, ISSN 0040-6090, E-ISSN 1879-2731, Vol. 571, p. 739-743Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The exoskeleton, also called the cuticle, of specimens of the scarab beetle Cetonia aurata is a narrow-band reflector which exhibits metallic shine. Most specimens of C. aurata have a reflectance maximum in the green part of the spectrum but variations from blue–green to red–green are also found. A few specimens are also more distinct blue or red. Furthermore, the reflected light is highly polarized and at near-normal incidence near-circular left-handed polarization is observed. The polarization and color phenomena are caused by a nanostructure in the cuticle. This nanostructure can be modeled as a multilayered twisted biaxial layer from which reflection properties can be calculated. Specifically we calculate the cuticle Mueller matrix which then is fitted to Mueller matrices determined by dual-rotating compensator ellipsometry in the spectral range 400–800 nm at multiple angles of incidence. This non-linear regression analysis provides structural parameters like pitch of the chiral structure as well as layer refractive index data for the different layers in the cuticle. The objective here is to compare spectra measured on C. aurata with different colors and develop a generic structural model. Generally the degree of polarization is large in the spectral region corresponding to the color of the cuticle which for the blue specimen is 400–600 nm whereas for the red specimen it is 530–730 nm. In these spectral ranges, the Mueller-matrix element m41 is non-zero and negative, in particular for small angles of incidence, implicating that the reflected light becomes near-circularly polarizedwith an ellipticity angle in the range 20°–45°.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2014. Vol. 571, p. 739-743
Keywords [en]
Mueller-matrix ellipsometry; Scarab beetles; Chiral structures; Circular polarization; Natural photonic structures
National Category
Condensed Matter Physics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-112685DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2014.02.012ISI: 000346055200076OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-112685DiVA, id: diva2:769434
Conference
6th International Conference on Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (ICSE-VI), May 26–31, 2013, Kyoto, Japan
Funder
Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationSwedish Research CouncilAvailable from: 2014-12-08 Created: 2014-12-08 Last updated: 2017-12-05Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Optical and Structural Characterization of Natural Nanostructures
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Optical and Structural Characterization of Natural Nanostructures
2016 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The spectacular biodiversity of our planet is the result of millions of years of evolution. Over this time animals and plants have evolved and adapted to different environments, developing specific behavioral and physical adaptations to increase their chances of survival. During the last centuries human's curiosity has pushed us to study and understand the phenomena and mechanisms of the nature that surrounds us. This understanding has even led to the fields of biomimetics where we seek solutions to human challenges by emulating nature.

Scarab beetles (from the insect family Scarabaeidae) have fascinated humans for centuries due to the brilliant metallic shine of their chitin-rich exoskeletons and more recently for their ability to polarize reflected light. This doctoral thesis focuses on the optical characterization of the polarized reflected light from beetles in the Chrysina genus, although beetles from other genera also have been investigated. All the Chrysina beetles studied here share one characteristic, they all reflect left-handed near-circular polarized light. In some cases we also detect right-handed polarized light.

We have observed two different main behaviors among the studied Chrysina beetles. Those which are green-colored scatter the reflected polarized light, whereas those with metallic appearance are broadband specular reflectors. We present a detailed analysis of the optical properties with Mueller-matrix spectroscopic ellipsometry combined with optical- and electron-microscopy studies of the exoskeletons. This allow us to create a model that reproduces the optical properties of these structures. The model consists of a chiral (helicoidal) multilayer structure with a gradual change of the pitch and a constant rotation of the optic axis of the layers.

Beetles are not alone to have polarizing structures in nature and it is known that many birds and insects have the ability to detect linearly polarized light. This raises the question of whether the polarization properties of the beetles are the direct or indirect results of evolution or just pure coincidence. In order to get a better understanding of the possible reasons of this particular ability, we present a simulation study of different possible scenarios in nature where incoming light could be polarized or unpolarized, and where we consider detectors (eyes) sensitive to different states of polarized light. If the beetles are able to use this characteristic for camouflage, to confuse predators or for intraspecific communication is,

however, still unknown and requires further investigation.

My research results provide deeper understanding of the properties of light reflected on the beetle's exoskeleton and the nanostructures responsible for the polarization of the reflected light. The developed model could be used as bioinspiration for the fabrication of novel nano-optical devices. My results can also complement biological behavioral experiments aiming to understand the purposes of this specific optical characteristics in nature.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Linköping: Linköping University Electronic Press, 2016. p. 53
Series
Linköping Studies in Science and Technology. Dissertations, ISSN 0345-7524 ; 1795
National Category
Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics Condensed Matter Physics Biophysics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-132613 (URN)10.3384/diss.diva-132613 (DOI)9789176856703 (ISBN)
Public defence
2016-12-08, Planck, Fysikhuset, Campus Valla, Linköping, 10:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Note

The ISBN 978-91-978-91-7685-670-3 in the printed version of the thesis is incorrect. Correct ISBN is 978-91-7685-670-3. The ISBN is corrected in the electronic version.

Available from: 2016-11-16 Created: 2016-11-16 Last updated: 2019-10-29Bibliographically approved

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Arwin, HansFernández del Río, LiaJärrendahl, Kenneth

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