Improved light extraction in the bioluminescent lantern of a Photuris firefly (Lampyridae).
Opt Express
; 21(1): 764-80, 2013 Jan 14.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23388969
ABSTRACT
A common problem of light sources emitting from an homogeneous high-refractive index medium into air is the loss of photons by total internal reflection. Bioluminescent organisms, as well as artificial devices, have to face this problem. It is expected that life, with its mechanisms for evolution, would have selected appropriate optical structures to get around this problem, at least partially. The morphology of the lantern of a specific firefly in the genus Photuris has been examined. The optical properties of the different parts of this lantern have been modelled, in order to determine their positive or adverse effect with regard to the global light extraction. We conclude that the most efficient pieces of the lantern structure are the misfit of the external scales (which produce abrupt roughness in air) and the lowering of the refractive index at the level of the cluster of photocytes, where the bioluminescent production takes place.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Luciérnagas
/
Luminiscencia
/
Óptica y Fotónica
/
Luz
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Opt Express
Asunto de la revista:
OFTALMOLOGIA
Año:
2013
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Bélgica