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Iridescence
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Iridescence is the phenomenon of certain surfaces that appear gradually to change colour as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes. Iridescence is caused by wave interference of light
Iridescence in soap bubbles
Iridescence in soap bubbles
Fuel on top of water creates a thin film, which interferes with the light, producing different colours. The different bands represent different thickn
Fuel on top of water creates a thin film, which interferes with the light, producing different colours. The different bands represent different thicknesses in the film. This phenomenon is known as thin-film interference.
An iridescent biofilm on the surface of a fish tank diffracts the reflected light, displaying the entire spectrum of colours. Red is seen from longer
An iridescent biofilm on the surface of a fish tank diffracts the reflected light, displaying the entire spectrum of colours. Red is seen from longer angles of incidence than blue.
The pearlescent shell of a black-lip pearl oyster
The pearlescent shell of a black-lip pearl oyster
Structural coloration
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Structural coloration in animals, and a few plants, is the production of colour by microscopically structured surfaces fine enough to interfere with visible light instead of pigments, although some st
Iridescence
…is masked by the colouration due to plant pigments. In biological (and biomimetic) uses, colours produced other than with pigments or dyes are called structural colouration. Microstructures, often multi-layered, are used to produce bright but sometimes non-iridescent colours: quite elaborate arrangements are needed to avoid…
The brilliant iridescent colours of the peacock's tail feathers are created by structural coloration, as first noted by Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke.
The brilliant iridescent colours of the peacock's tail feathers are created by structural coloration, as first noted by Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke.
In 1892, Frank Evers Beddard noted that Chrysospalax golden moles' thick fur was structurally coloured.
In 1892, Frank Evers Beddard noted that Chrysospalax golden moles' thick fur was structurally coloured.
Electron micrograph of a fractured surface of nacre showing multiple thin layers
Electron micrograph of a fractured surface of nacre showing multiple thin layers
Butterfly wing at different magnifications reveals microstructured chitin acting as a diffraction grating
Butterfly wing at different magnifications reveals microstructured chitin acting as a diffraction grating