Iridescence from diffraction structures in the wing scales of Callophrys rubi,the Green Hairstreak |
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Authors: | R. B. MORRIS |
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Abstract: | The uniform green colour of the under surface of the wing of Callophrys rubi is due to the integrated effect of the iridescence from a mosaic of polygonal grains, 5.4 μm. diameter and 1 μm. thick. The ultrastructure of each grain is a simple cubic network, lattice parameter 0257 μm. The iridescent colour results from this structure acting as a volume diffraction grating giving a peak reflectance at about 0.548 μm., green, which is found to be close to the observed reflectance with a peak at 0.550 μm. measured by a spectrometer. |
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