Award details

A detailed study of diffractive effects in insect wings

Reference	E09611
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Sir John Sambles
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Robin Wootton
Institution	University of Exeter
Department	Physics
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	203,771
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/04/1998
End date	01/04/2001
Duration	36 months

Abstract

This proposal seeks funding to: (1) Explore in detail the microstructures on the wings of butterflies and moths which lead to strong metallic colours. (2) Develop as complete an understanding as possible of the manner in which such weakly absorbing microstructured surfaces lead to frequency selective response, producing computer codes to model their optical behaviour. (3) Utilise this understanding in establishing design rules for frequency selective surfaces over the whole electromagnetic spectrum including infra-red, microwaves and longer wavelengths. There are three different aspects to the work: (a) Detailed electronmicroscopic characterisation of wing scale structure for a range of specimens, to establish common features, (b) detailed optical characterisation over the visible spectrum exploring both the wavelength and angle dependence of the polarisation sensitive reflectivities, and (c) development of modelling codes to establish design rules for mimicking these superb natural reflectors. The study is not only fundamental in terms of trying to understand the optics of these remarkable structures but it also has clear technological relevance. (MOD joint grant scheme)

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Engineering & Biological Systems (EBS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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