6F40.40 - Wavelength Selective Scattering

Code Number:
6F40.40
Demo Title:
Wavelength Selective Scattering
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Structural Scattering
Area of Study:
Optics, Astronomy
Equipment:
Morpho Butterfly Wings and Peacock Feathers.
Procedure:

The difference between structural color and color due to pigmentation can be discussed using the Morpho butterfly wings and peacock feathers as examples of the structural color.

References:
  • Robert Hobbs, "Sunset in a Tube Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 61, #9, Dec. 2023, p. 806.
  • Glenn S. Smith, "Structural Color of Morpho Butterflies", AJP, Vol. 77, #11, Nov. 2009, p. 1010.
  • Vinothan N. Manoharan, Anna B. Stephenson, "A Field Guide to Angle-Independent Structural Color, Physics Today, Vol. 74, #1, Jan. 2021, p. 62.
  • Ross C. McPhedran and Andrew R. Parker, "Biometrics: Lessons on Optics from Nature's School", Physics Today, Vol. 68, #6, June 2015, p. 32.
  • Richard J. Fitzgerald, "Reversed Diffraction in Bio-Inspired Photonic Materials", Physics Today, Vol. 67, #12, Dec. 2014, p. 23.
  • Steven K. Blau, "Filtering Light By Angle", Physics Today, Vol. 67, #5, May 2014, p. 16.
  • Steven K. Blau, "Light as a Feather: Structural Elements Give Peacock Plumes Their Color", Physics Today, Vol. 57, #1, Jan. 2004, p. 18.
  • Levi Sharpe, "Parrots Teach Scientists To Make Fade-Proof Colors", Popular Science, Vol. 287, #3, Sept. 2015, p. 29.
  • Bill Franklin, "Understanding Interference Colors", Teaching about Color & Color Vision, 1996, p. 2C-12.
  • "Energy Savers", Reader's Digest, June/July. 2011.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.