Characterization of the iridescence-causing multilayer structure of the Ceroglossus suturalis beetle using bio-inspired optimization strategies

We investigate the iridescence exhibited by Ceroglossus suturalis beetles, which mostly live endemically in the southern end of South America. Two differently colored specimens have been studied. We observed and characterized the samples by different microscopy techniques, which revealed a multilaye...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Luna, Ana, Macías, Demetrio, Skigin, Diana C., Inchaussandague, Marina E., Schinca, Daniel Carlos, Gigli, Miriam L., Vial, Alexandre
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2013
País:Argentina
Institución:Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Repositorio:SEDICI (UNLP)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:sedici.unlp.edu.ar:10915/125902
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/125902
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Física
Biology
Multilayers
Computational electromagnetic methods
Color
Descripción
Sumario:We investigate the iridescence exhibited by Ceroglossus suturalis beetles, which mostly live endemically in the southern end of South America. Two differently colored specimens have been studied. We observed and characterized the samples by different microscopy techniques, which revealed a multilayer structure within their cuticle. Using measured reflectance spectra as input data, we applied heuristic optimization techniques to estimate the refractive index values of the constituent materials, to be introduced within the theoretical model. The color of the samples was calculated for different incidence angles, showing that multilayer interference is the mechanism responsible for the observed iridescence.