Document Detail


How noniridescent colors are generated by quasi-ordered structures of bird feathers.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20401903     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
We investigate the mechanism of structural coloration by quasi-ordered nanostructures in bird feather barbs. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data reveal the structures are isotropic and have short-range order on length scales comparable to optical wavelengths. We perform angle-resolved reflection and scattering spectrometry to fully characterize the colors under directional and omni-directional illumination of white light. Under directional lighting, the colors change with the angle between the directions of illumination and observation. The angular dispersion of the primary peaks in the scattering/reflection spectra can be well explained by constructive interference of light that is scattered only once in the quasi-ordered structures. Using the Fourier power spectra of structure from the SAXS data we calculate optical scattering spectra and explain why the light scattering peak is the highest in the backscattering direction. Under omni-directional lighting, colors from the quasi-ordered structures are invariant with the viewing angle. The non-iridescent coloration results from the isotropic nature of structures instead of strong backscattering.
Authors:
Heeso Noh; Seng Fatt Liew; Vinodkumar Saranathan; Simon G J Mochrie; Richard O Prum; Eric R Dufresne; Hui Cao
Related Documents :
7374753 - Raman difference spectroscopy of tertiary and quaternary structure changes in methaemog...
9138253 - Bladder pdt with intravesical clear and light scattering media: effect of an eccentric ...
22411843 - Pyridine-modified acridine-based bipolar host material for green phosphorescent organic...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)     Volume:  22     ISSN:  1521-4095     ISO Abbreviation:  Adv. Mater. Weinheim     Publication Date:  2010 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-08-04     Completed Date:  2010-12-01     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9885358     Medline TA:  Adv Mater     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  2871-80     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Physics, Center for Research on Interface Structure and Phenomena, Yale University, CT 06511, USA. heeso.noh@yale.edu
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Birds
Color
Feathers / chemistry*
Nanostructures / chemistry*,  ultrastructure
Scattering, Small Angle

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Quantification of taurine and amino acids in mice single fibrosarcoma cell by microchip electrophore...
Next Document:  Liposomes destabilize tRNA during heat stress.