Joy Y. Cheng, Daniel P. Sanders, et al.
SPIE Advanced Lithography 2008
We investigated the photonic crystal structure inside iridescent scales of the weevil Lamprocyphus augustus. By combining a high-resolution structure analysis technique based on sequential focused ion beam milling and scanning electron microscopy imaging with theoretical modeling and photonic band-structure calculations, we discovered a natural three-dimensional photonic structure with a diamond-based crystal lattice operating at visible wavelengths. Moreover, we found that within individual scales, the diamond-based structure is assembled in the form of differently oriented single-crystalline micrometer-sized pixels with only selected lattice planes facing the scales' top surface. A comparison of results obtained from optical microreflectance measurements with photonic band-structure calculations reveals that it is this sophisticated microassembly of the diamond-based crystal lattice that lends Lamprocyphus augustus its macroscopically near angle-independent green coloration. © 2008 The American Physical Society.
Joy Y. Cheng, Daniel P. Sanders, et al.
SPIE Advanced Lithography 2008
R.M. Macfarlane, R.L. Cone
Physical Review B - CMMP
C.M. Brown, L. Cristofolini, et al.
Chemistry of Materials
Thomas H. Baum, Carl E. Larson, et al.
Journal of Organometallic Chemistry