"Peacock feathers are capable of emitting laser light when dyed multiple times, marking the first observation of a biolaser cavity in the animal kingdom."
"The iridescent colors in peacock feathers and butterfly wings arise from structural features rather than pigments, due to their unique nanostructures."
"Photonic crystals, found in peacock feathers and butterfly wings, selectively block certain wavelengths of light while allowing others to pass through."
"Understanding natural photonic crystal structures can guide scientists in the design of innovative materials with applications across various fields."
Peacock feathers exhibit vibrant iridescent colors due to their structural composition, notably the periodic nanostructures of barbules. These features enable the emission of laser light when dyed multiple times, representing the first instance of a biolaser cavity in nature. Similar principles apply to butterfly wings, where chitin scales create diffraction gratings. Both demonstrate the properties of photonic crystals, which can be tuned to manipulate specific wavelengths of light. Their implications extend beyond aesthetics, providing protective benefits and potential design insights for artificial materials.
Read at Ars Technica
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