Parametric Studies on Artificial Morpho Butterfly Wing Scales for Optical Device Applications

Abstract EN

We calculated diffraction efficiencies of grating structures inspired by Morpho butterfly wings by using a rigorous coupled-wave analysis method.

The geometrical effects, such as grating width, period, thickness, and material index, were investigated in order to obtain better optical performance.

Closely packed grating structures with an optimized membrane thickness show vivid reflected colors and provide high sensitivity to surrounding media variations, which is applicable to vapor sensing or healthcare indicators.

Morpho structures with high index materials such as zinc sulfide or gallium phosphide generate white color caused by broadband reflection that can be used as reflected light sources for display applications.