Exploring polarization features in light reflection from beetles with structural colors

Hans Arwin; Roger Magnusson; Lía Fernández del Río; Jan Landin; Arturo Mendoza-Galván; Kenneth Järrendahl

doi:10.1117/12.2083032

26 March 2015 Exploring polarization features in light reflection from beetles with structural colors

Hans Arwin, Roger Magnusson, Lía Fernández del Río, Jan Landin, Arturo Mendoza-Galván, Kenneth Järrendahl

Proceedings Volume 9429, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2015; 942909 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2083032
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A Mueller matrix of a sample can be used to determine the polarization of reflected light for incident light with arbitrary polarization. The polarization can be quantified in terms of ellipticity, polarization azimuth and degree of polarization. We apply spectroscopic Mueller-matrix ellipsometry at multiple angles of incidence to study the cuticle of beetles and derive polarization features for incident unpolarized light. In particular we address chiral phenomena in scarab beetles, the origin of their structural colors and the observed high degree of circular polarization is discussed. Results from beetles in Scarabaeidae subfamilies Cetoniinae and Rutelinae are presented including specimens with broad-band silver-or gold-like colors with metallic shine as well as specimens with narrow-band green or red reflectors. The variation of polarization with angle of incidence and occurrence of both left-handed and right-handed polarization from a single species are presented. We also use Mueller-matrix thicknesses and optical properties. Interference oscillations in the observed spectra are due to allowed optical modes and we show how to develop a structural model of a cuticle based on this effect. Sum decomposition of Mueller matrices measured on a depolarizing cuticle of a beetle is briefly discussed.

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Hans Arwin, Roger Magnusson, Lía Fernández del Río, Jan Landin, Arturo Mendoza-Galván, and Kenneth Järrendahl "Exploring polarization features in light reflection from beetles with structural colors", Proc. SPIE 9429, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2015, 942909 (26 March 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2083032

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KEYWORDS

Polarization

Silicon

Biomimetics

Current controlled current source

Ellipsometry

Optical properties

Reflectors

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