Open AccessCharacterization of the iridescence-causing multilayer structure of the Ceroglossus suturalis beetle using bio-inspired optimization strategies
Author(s) -
Ana Luna,
Demetrio Macı́as,
Diana C. Skigin,
Marina E. Inchaussandague,
Daniel Carlos Schinca,
Miriam L. Gigli,
Alexandre Vial
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.019189
Subject(s) - iridescence , structural coloration , refractive index , cuticle (hair) , optics , reflectivity , materials science , interference (communication) , characterization (materials science) , biological system , optoelectronics , physics , biology , photonic crystal , computer science , computer network , channel (broadcasting) , genetics
We investigate the iridescence exhibited by Ceroglossus suturalis beetles, which mostly live endemically in the southern end of South America. Two differently colored specimens have been studied. We observed and characterized the samples by different microscopy techniques, which revealed a multilayer structure within their cuticle. Using measured reflectance spectra as input data, we applied heuristic optimization techniques to estimate the refractive index values of the constituent materials, to be introduced within the theoretical model. The color of the samples was calculated for different incidence angles, showing that multilayer interference is the mechanism responsible for the observed iridescence.