THIN-FILM BIOLOGICAL REFLECTORS - OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CHRYSIRIDIA-CROESUS MOTH

The optical properties of colored wing scales of the Chrysiridia croes us moth were investigated experimentally and theoretically by reflecti on spectroscopy and ellipsometry. Transmission electron microscope mic rographs show that the outer surfaces of these scales incorporate a fa irly regular layered structure of alternating dense and less-dense mat erial, which reflects light by the well-known thin-film interference p rocess. A Monte Carlo-typesimulation of the reflection process is disc ussed, which permits the determination of the complex index of refract ion of the scale material. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.