Natural Photonics

Key personnel: Dr Pete Vukusic, Prof J Roy Sambles

Brilliant Whitness in Ultra-thin Beetle Scales

Read the Science article
Or go their website

Investigations into natural structural colour began at the University of Exeter in 1998/9. The subject of iridescence in butterflies and moths was central to the original project but has been diversified to comprise the photonics of a much broader range of animals. Additionally, we are using the design ideas from our understanding of natural photonics for development towards applications in a range of different technologies.

Dr. Pete Vukusic leads the natural photonics research at Exeter and works closely with Prof. Roy Sambles FRS (Head of EM Materials). Current and recent members of the team are Dr. Sharon Jewell and Dr. Ian Hooper and Joe Noyes (PhD student).

If you are interested in the what you have read here or in associated pages then email us at the Natural Photonics Group for further information.