Bioinspired micrograting arrays mimicking the reverse color diffraction elements evolved by the butterfly Pierella luna

• Main Authors: England, Grant (Author), Kolle, Mathias (Contributor), Kim, Philseok (Author), Khan, Mughees (Author), Munoz, Philip (Author), Mazur, Eric (Author), Aizenberg, Joanna (Author)
• Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering (Contributor)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Academy of Sciences (U.S.), 2015-04-24T19:33:09Z.
• Subjects: Article
• Online Access: Get fulltext

Recently, diffraction elements that reverse the color sequence normally observed in planar diffraction gratings have been found in the wing scales of the butterfly Pierella luna. Here, we describe the creation of an artificial photonic material mimicking this reverse color-order diffraction effect. The bioinspired system consists of ordered arrays of vertically oriented microdiffraction gratings. We present a detailed analysis and modeling of the coupling of diffraction resulting from individual structural components and demonstrate its strong dependence on the orientation of the individual miniature gratings. This photonic material could provide a basis for novel developments in biosensing, anticounterfeiting, and efficient light management in photovoltaic systems and light-emitting diodes.
United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (Award FA9550-09-1-0669-DOD35CAP)
Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (Feodor Lynen Postdoctoral Research Fellowship)