FROM UNDERSTANDING TO BIOMIMICKING OF STRUCTURAL COLOR

Abstract

Structural color caused by the interaction of light with nanoscale periodic structure, so-called photonic crystals, has attracted considered attention in a variety of research areas. Structural color is usually iridescent and metallic; moreover, it is brighter, more deeply saturated, free from photobleaching, and longer lasting, unlike traditional pigments or dyes. In the biological world, the colorful feathers of many birds (i.e. peacock), the wings of various butterflies and the elytra of many beetles are good examples of structural color. During the last two decades, many efforts have been devoted to mimicking natural structural color. However, the structural color produced by nature is much richer and more effective than we can produce so far. In this thesis, we focused to study some unique optical proper- ties of natural structural color and invent new and effective methods to mimic structural color.