A bio-inspired model for bidirectional polarisation detection

Abstract

This study investigated a novel polarisation detection model based on the microstructure of rhabdom in mantis shrimp eyes, in which a single unit can detect two directions of orthogonal polarisation. The bionic model incorporated multi-layered orthogonal Si wire grids, and the finite-difference time-domain method was used to simulate light absorption. A single-layer Si wire grid was simulated to study the effects of thickness and duty cycle on extinction ratios. A multi-layer orthogonal wire grid was simulated to study the effects of distance between adjacent layers. The simulations revealed that the bionic model can achieve orthogonal polarisation detection. Additionally, for 600 coupled layers, the extinction ratios in both directions were greater than 60, and light absorption in the absorptive directions exceeded 96%.

Micromirror Array with Adjustable Reflection Characteristics Based on Different Microstructures and Its Application

“…Li Z et al [13] obtained antireflective transparent surfaces consisting of silica nanocaps by the simple heat treatment of silica-coated monolayer colloidal crystal templates, which provided an effective reduction in the reflectivity of the reflected light. Inspired by the moth eye, Yue gang Fu and team [14][15][16][17] prepared microstructural reflective surfaces of cylinder, cone, and circular hole shapes by using reactive ion etching to regulate the reflectivity of such surfaces through microstructures for anti-reflection effects, or through other bionic micro-nano structures to modulate the reflected light properties.…”

Heart valve inspired and multi‐stream aortic cannula: Novel designs for cardiopulmonary bypass improvement in neonates

“…Relying on nature's experience on optimized bio‐inspired flow pathways and biological flow has usually resulted in successful engineering components. For example, a bionic model inspired by rhabdomere in mantis shrimp has shown the capability of bidirectional polarization detection with improved energy efficiency . Likewise, with the motivation of finding more optimal cannula jet flow characteristics we have performed a systematic bio‐inspired engineering search on biological jet flows.…”