Structure and optical function of amorphous photonic nanostructures from avian feather barbs: a comparative small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis of 230 bird species

Saranathan, Vinodkumar; Forster, Jason D.; Noh, Heeso; Liew, Seng Fatt; Mochrie, S. G. J.; Cao, Hui; Dufresne, Eric R.; Prum, Richard O.

doi:10.1098/rsif.2012.0191

Cited by 142 publications

(199 citation statements)

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“…1 b), where it can be observed that barbs closer to the most external part of the feather are blue whereas barbs in other regions exhibit a greyish coloration. Structural colour in birds' plumage is produced by the interaction of light with the photonic nanostructures present within the barbs [3]. Therefore, we are going to analyze the microstructure of the blue barbs of different feathers.…”

Section: Characterization Of the Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 b) shows details of the arrangement that produces colour in this species. A keratin cortex surrounds a threedimensional, quasi-ordered nanostructure composed of spherical air cavities immersed in β-keratin (refractive index, nβ-keratin = 1.58 ± 0.01 [3]). Due to the fragility of the material, big white holes are observed in the spongy matrix, which are a result of the cutting procedure.…”

Section: Characterization Of the Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This method is based on the assumption of single scattering, i.e., light is scattered only once by the structure. The Fourier spectrum reveals the existence of a dominant length scale, which results in one peak in the predicted reflectance spectra [3][4][5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Two main classes of 3D barb nanostructures are known: (i) characterized by a complex network of air channels and (ii) close packing spheroidal air cavities [3]. In order to elucidate the precise physical mechanism responsible for the production of avian colours, Prum et al employed a spatial Fourier transform of a TEM image of the microstructure present in feather barbs of various avian species [4,5], and Saranathan et al obtained the Fourier transform by X-ray scattering [3]. They found a clear ring structure around the origin in wave vector space, which indicated that the colour is produced by constructive interference between light waves scattered coherently by the nanostructure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the measured reflectance spectra of many bird species, including the Swallow Tanager (Tersina viridis), exhibit two peaks [3,[6][7][8]. Even though the primary peak has been quite accurately reproduced, the FPS does not provide information about the secondary peak, whose origin has been attributed to multiple scattering effects [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structural colour in Tersina viridis

D’Ambrosio¹,

Inchaussandague²,

Skigin³

et al. 2017

Opt. Pura Apl.

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ABSTRACT:The colour of birds' plumage is due to the presence of pigments as well as to frequency selective structural effects produced by the interaction of light with the photonic microstructure that constitutes the feather barbs. The species Swallow Tanager, of the family Thraupidae, exhibits sexual dichromatism: males have blue plumage and females green. In addition, the feathers show an iridescent reflectance, which changes as the angle between the directions of incidence and observation is varied. In order to investigate the mechanisms of colour generation in the feathers of the Swallow Tanager species, we study their electromagnetic response. First, we obtained TEM images of the barbs' cross section, which revealed a microstructure consisting of quasi-spherical air cavities embedded in a β-keratin matrix. To obtain the relevant geometric parameters of the structure, we performed a detailed statistical analysis of the images. These parameters, together with the optical properties of the constituent materials, determine the electromagnetic behaviour of the structure. To calculate the reflectance of a barb, we used two theoretical approaches. First, we applied a simplified model based on Fourier analysis, which relies on the single-particle scattering hypothesis. This method provides useful information about the spectral position of the dominant reflectance peak in the visible region of the spectrum. However, this approach does not account for multiple scattering effects which could produce additional features. Then, we investigate the optical response by applying the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) method, which is a rigorous theoretical formalism for the calculation of the reflectance of structures formed by a stack of spheres embedded in a material medium. We performed numerical simulations, paying special attention to the influence of the geometrical characteristics of the microstructure on the optical response of the barbs. The KKR curves exhibit an enhancement in the UV region, which is in agreement with the measured reflectance of Swallow Tanager. These results evidence the potential of the KKR formalism to accurately reproduce the electromagnetic response of natural structures and to reveal features that cannot be explained using the Fourier approach. The results obtained confirm that the quasi-ordered spongy structure produces coherent scattering and therefore is the responsible for the colour of the Swallow Tanager.Key words: structural colour, 3D photonic crystals, iridescence RESUMEN:El color del plumaje de las aves se debe tanto a la presencia de pigmentos como a efectos estructurales selectivos en frecuencia producidos por la interacción de la luz con la microestructura fotónica que constituye las barbas de las plumas. El plumaje de la especie Tersina viridis, de la familia Thraupidae, presenta dicromatismo sexual: los machos tienen plumaje azul y las hembras son verdes. Además, las plumas muestran una reflectancia iridiscente que varía con el ángulo entre la dirección de incidencia y la de observa...

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Section: Characterization Of the Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Characterization Of the Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Structural colour in Tersina viridis

D’Ambrosio¹,

Inchaussandague²,

Skigin³

et al. 2017

Opt. Pura Apl.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Photonic Amorphous I‐WP‐Like Networks Create Angle‐Independent Colors in Sternotomis virescens Longhorn Beetles

Bauernfeind

Djeghdi

Gunkel

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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Structural color originates from the interference of light with periodic structures that feature characteristic length scales on the order of the wavelength of visible light. Long‐range order in photonic structures usually causes iridescence, and increasing disorder renders colors angle‐independent. Random disorder distributes scattering intensity over all wavelengths, producing white in the absence of absorption. Various non‐iridescent, vivid color patterns are found in Sternotomini longhorn beetles. Herein, Sternotomis virescens is investigated, where elytral scales produce a green‐blue color pattern on otherwise black elytra. Combining focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB‐SEM) tomography, ultra‐small‐angle X‐ray scattering (USAXS), structural modeling, and full‐wave optical simulations, it is found that the color originates from amorphous photonic networks based on sub‐units resembling the I‐WP unit cell, a triply‐periodic minimal surface with body‐centered‐cubic symmetry. This work provides insights into how quasi‐order produces stable colors in S. virescens longhorn beetles, highlights the advantages of volumetric imaging using FIB‐SEM tomography of porous nanostructured materials, and raises interesting questions about the formation mechanisms of amorphous structures in vivo.

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Biopolymer Photonics: From Nature to Nanotechnology

Vogler‐Neuling,

Saba,

Gunkel

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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Biopolymers offer vast potential for renewable and sustainable devices. While nature mastered the use of biopolymers to create highly complex 3D structures and optimized their photonic response, artificially created structures still lack nature's diversity. To bridge this gap between natural and engineered biophotonic structures, fundamental questions such as the natural formation process and the interplay of structural order and disorder must be answered. Herein, biological photonic structures and their characterization techniques are reviewed, focusing on those structures not yet artificially manufactured. Then, employed and potential nanofabrication strategies for biomimetic, bio‐templated, and artificially created biopolymeric photonic structures are discussed. The discussion is extended to responsive biopolymer photonic structures and hybrid structures. Last, future fundamental physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology challenges related to biopolymer photonics are foreseen.

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Structure and optical function of amorphous photonic nanostructures from avian feather barbs: a comparative small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis of 230 bird species

Cited by 142 publications

References 75 publications

Structural colour in Tersina viridis

Structural colour in Tersina viridis

Photonic Amorphous I‐WP‐Like Networks Create Angle‐Independent Colors in Sternotomis virescens Longhorn Beetles

Biopolymer Photonics: From Nature to Nanotechnology

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