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Updated: May 16, 2026

Multilayer Mounting for Long-term Light Sheet Microscopy of Zebrafish

Multilayer Mounting for Long-term Light Sheet Microscopy of Zebrafish

Published on: February 27, 2014

Non-polarizing broadband multilayer reflectors in fish.

T M Jordan¹, J C Partridge, N W Roberts

¹School of Biological Sciences, Woodland Road, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UG. ; Bristol Centre for Complexity Sciences, University of Bristol, Queen's Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TR.

Nature Photonics

|November 20, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fish utilize unique multilayer reflectors made of guanine and cytoplasm to create non-polarizing light reflection. This biological optical mechanism offers potential for novel synthetic optical devices.

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Published on: September 14, 2016

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Last Updated: May 16, 2026

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Assays to Detect UV-reflecting Structures and Determine their Importance in Mate Preference using the Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinna

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Published on: September 14, 2016

Area of Science:

Optics
Biomimetics
Materials Science

Background:

Non-polarizing dielectric multilayer reflectors are crucial optical components with applications in optical fibers, waveguides, and LEDs.
Existing synthetic non-polarizing reflectors have limitations and do not mimic natural optical mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze a biological non-polarizing optical mechanism in fish "silver" multilayer reflectors.
To investigate the structural and optical properties of guanine crystal arrangements in fish stratum argenteum.
To explore the potential of this biological mechanism for synthetic optical devices.

Main Methods:

Analysis of broadband guanine-cytoplasm "silver" multilayer reflectors from three fish species.
Examination of birefringent guanine crystal populations and their optic axis orientations.
Investigation of the optical properties related to Brewster's angles and polarization neutralization.

Main Results:

Identified two distinct populations of birefringent guanine crystals in fish stratum argenteum.
Observed optic axes oriented parallel and perpendicular to the crystal's long axis, respectively.
Demonstrated that this arrangement neutralizes reflection polarization by managing interfacial Brewster's angles.

Conclusions:

The fish reflective mechanism achieves non-polarizing reflection through a unique arrangement of birefringent guanine crystals.
This biological design is distinct from current synthetic non-polarizing mirrors, notably lacking refractive index contrast with the environment.
The mechanism presents a viable model for manufacturing and implementing in novel synthetic optical devices.