optical biomimetics : materials and applications

Optical biomimetics, the study of natural systems to inspire novel solutions to problems in optical technologies, has attracted growing interest. Optical biomimetics reviews key research in this area, focusing on the techniques and approaches used to characterise and mimic naturally occurring optical effects.Beginning with an overview of natural photonic structures, Optical biomimetics goes on to discuss optical applications of biomolecules, such as retinylidene and bacteriorhodopsin, polarisation effects in natural photonic structures and their applications, and biomimetic nanostructures for anti-reflection (AR) devices. Control of iridescence in natural photonic structures is explored through the case of butterfly scales, alongside a consideration of nanostructure fabrication using natural synthesis. The investigation into silk optical materials is followed by a final discussion of the control of florescence in natural photonic structures.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Optical biomimetics is a valuable guide for scientists and engineers in both academia and industry who are already studying biomimetics, and a fascinating introduction for those who wish to move into this interesting new field.

Author Notes

Dr Maryanne Large is a physicist with extensive experience in optics and materials. She has a particular interest in microstructures, and has studied them in iridescent butterfly scales, as well as using them in optical fibres. She is currently a research Manager at CiSRA (Canon Information Systems Research Australia) and a member of staff at the University of Sydney's Institute of Photonics and Optical Sciences(IPOS).

A. R. Parker, The Natural History Museum, UKM. J. Ranaghan and N. L. Wagner and M. N. Sandberg and R. R. Birge, University of Connecticut, USAS. Berthier, Université Paris-Diderot, France and Facultés Universitaires Notre Dame de la Paix, BelgiumS. Chattopadhyay, National Yang Ming University, Taiwan and Y. F. Huang, National Yang Ming University, Taiwan and Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Taiwan and K-H. Chen, Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences and L-C. Chen, National Taiwan University, TaiwanS. Wickham, University of Sydney, Australia (currently at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School, USA) and L. Poladian, University of Sydney, Australia|cM. C. J. Large, University of Sydney, Australia and Canon Information Systems Research Australia, Australia and P. Vukusic, Exeter University, UKH. Tao and D. L. Kaplan and F. G. Omenetto and Tufts University, USAA. Salih, University of Western Sydney, Australia

Contributor contact details	p. viii
Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials	p. xi
Introduction	p. xv
1 Natural photonic structures: an overview	p. 1
1.1 Introduction	p. 1
1.2 Photonic structures found in nature	p. 2
1.3 Examples of optical biomimetic devices	p. 5
1.4 Biomimetic approaches to fabrication of optical devices	p. 15
1.5 Conclusion	p. 17
1.6 Acknowledgements	p. 17
1.7 References	p. 17
2 Optical applications of biomolecules	p. 20
2.1 Introduction: biomimetics and biotechnology	p. 20
2.2 Retinylidene proteins for optical devices	p. 21
2.3 Applications of bacteriorhodopsin	p. 31
2.4 Enhancing bacteriorhodopsin for device applications	p. 43
2.5 Conclusions and future trends	p. 53
2.6 Acknowledgements	p. 55
2.7 References	p. 55
3 Polarisation effects in natural photonic structures and their applications	p. 79
3.1 Introduction	p. 79
3.2 Principles of polarisation	p. 79
3.3 Experimental techniques to study polarisation	p. 87
3.4 Polarisation structures in insects	p. 90
3.5 Bio-inspired applications: anti-counterfeiting patterns	p. 100
3.6 Conclusion	p. 104
3.7 References	p. 106
4 Biomimetic nanostructures for anti-reflection (AR) devices	p. 108
4.1 Introduction	p. 108
4.2 Anti-reflection (AR)	p. 110
4.3 Gradient refractive index structures	p. 113
4.4 Biomimetic photonic and anti-reflecting nanostructures	p. 119
4.5 Future trends and conclusions	p. 137
4.6 Acknowledgements	p. 141
4.7 References	p. 141
4.8 Appendix: glossary of terms	p. 146
5 Control of iridescence in natural photonic structures: the case of butterfly scales	p. 147
5.1 Introduction to structural colour	p. 147
5.2 Types of structural colour in butterflies	p. 148
5.3 Control of iridescence	p. 155
5.4 Perspectives on butterfly biomimetics	p. 165
5.5 References	p. 166
6 Fabrication of nanostructures using natural synthesis: optical materials using silk	p. 173
6.1 Introduction	p. 173
6.2 Silk optics and photonics	p. 177
6.3 Silk electronics and optoelectronics	p. 185
6.4 Conclusion	p. 192
6.5 References	p. 193
7 Fluorescence control in natural green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based photonic structures of reef corals	p. 199
7.1 Introduction	p. 199
7.2 Green fluorescent protein (GFP) structure and diversity	p. 202
7.3 Photoactive fluorescent proteins (PAFPs)	p. 206
7.4 Conclusion	p. 223
7.5 References	p. 224
Index	p. 234

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