Scientists unlock optical secrets of jewel beetles
Thursday, July 23, 2009 - 13:14
in Physics & Chemistry
A small green beetle may have some interesting lessons to teach scientists about optics and liquid crystals - complex mechanisms the insect uses to create a shell so strikingly beautiful that for centuries it was used in jewellery. In an article to be published in the 24 July issue of the journal Science, researchers provide a detailed analysis of how a jewel beetle (Chrysina gloriosa) creates the striking colours using a unique helical structure that reflects light of two specific colours - and of only one polarisation: left circular polarisation. The reflecting structures used by the beetle consist predominately of three different polygonal shapes whose percentages vary with the curvature of the insect's shell...