Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
Uncovering Hidden Dynamics of Natural Photonic Structures Using Holographic Imaging
Published on: March 31, 2022
Bi-functional photonic structure in the Papilio nireus (Papilionidae): modeling by scattering-matrix optical
Eloise Van Hooijdonk1, Cédric Vandenbem, Serge Berthier
11Centre de recherche en Physique de la Matière et du Rayonnement, Laboratoire de Physique du Solide, University of Namur, FUNDP, 61 rue de Bruxelles, Namur 5000, Belgium. eloise.vanhooijdonk@fundp.ac.be
Abstract:
Scales of the Papilio nireus combine fluorophores confined in a natural photonic structure. By means of numerical simulations based on the scattering-matrix formalism, we reveal the bi-functional optical role of this peculiar architecture. Two aspects are considered: the absorption of an incident light flux and the emission of another luminous flux. First, results highlight a light trapping effect and a light absorption increase in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared ranges. Then, results highlight an enhanced fluorescence occurring in the spatial as well as in the frequency domain. This observation could be of great interest to design new optical devices.
