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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Measuring Spatially- and Directionally-varying Light Scattering from Biological Material
Published on: May 20, 2013
Short-range order and near-field effects on optical scattering and structural coloration
1Department of Applied Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA. sengfatt.liew@yale.edu
Abstract:
We have investigated wavelength-dependent light scattering in biomimetic structures with short-range order. Coherent backscattering experiments are performed to measure the transport mean free path over a wide wavelength range. Overall scattering strength is reduced significantly due to short-range order and near-field effects. Our analysis explains why single scattering of light is dominant over multiple scattering in similar biological structures and is responsible for color generation.
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