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Photonic Structures Inspired by Nature

  • Book
  • © 2011

Overview

Authors:
  1. Mathias Kolle

    1. , School of Engineering and Applied Scienc, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA

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  • A thorough study of nature-inspired optics Contains beautiful colour images
  • Provides a detailed understanding of a new optical structure
  • Nominated as an outstanding contribution by Cambridge University
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Springer Theses (Springer Theses)

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction

    • Mathias Kolle
    Pages 1-3

  3. Theoretical Aspects of Photonic Structures

    • Mathias Kolle
    Pages 5-27

  4. Structural Colours in Nature

    • Mathias Kolle
    Pages 29-56

  5. Materials and Techniques

    • Mathias Kolle
    Pages 57-78

  6. Static and Tuneable One-Dimensional Photonic Structures

    • Mathias Kolle
    Pages 79-98

  7. Microfabrication of Photonic Structures with Higher Dimensionality

    • Mathias Kolle
    Pages 99-120

  8. Mimicry of Papilio blumei’s Colourful Wing Scale Structure

    • Mathias Kolle
    Pages 121-133

  9. Conclusions and Future Work

    • Mathias Kolle
    Pages 135-137

  10. Back Matter

    Pages 139-141
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Keywords

About this book

Unlike most natural colours that are based on pigment absorption, the striking iridescent and intense colouration of many butterflies, birds or beetles stems from the interaction of light with periodic sub-micrometer surface or volume patterns, so called “photonic structures”. These “structural colours” are increasingly well understood, but they are difficult to create artificially and exploit technologically. In this thesis the field of natural structural colours and biomimetic photonic structures is covered in a wide scope, ranging from plant photonics to theoretical optics. It demonstrates diffractive elements on the petal surfaces of many flowering plant species; these form the basis for the study of the role of structural colours in pollinator attraction. Self-assembly techniques, combined with scale able nanofabrication methods, were used to create complex artificial photonic structures inspired by those found in nature. In particular, the colour effect of a Papilio butterfly was mimicked and, by variation of its design motive, enhanced. All photonic effects described here are underpinned by state-of-the-art model calculations.

Authors and Affiliations

  • , School of Engineering and Applied Scienc, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA

    Mathias Kolle

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