Scientists found that butterfly wings are actually natural light-emitting diodes

brief introduction:


Optical microscopic image of scales on the wings of African swallowtail butterfly

International Online November 20, 2005 The latest research in the UK shows that scientists are far behind the naturalization of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Scientists have discovered that the principle of the beautiful double-winged light treatment of African swallowtail butterflies is similar to the principle of digital displays.

According to the US "Life Science Network" recently reported, the wings of the African swallowtail butterfly are black with bright green and blue markings. The researchers found that the wings of the African swallowtail butterfly are covered with tiny scales that absorb the ultraviolet light and re-emit it back. The re-emitted light interacts with the fluorescent pigment on the butterfly's wings, producing a bright blue-green color. Butterflyes separated by long distances communicate with each other in this bright color.

Light-emitting diode microvia

Light-emitting diodes were first invented in the 1960s and are now found everywhere in everyday life, such as computer and TV screens, as well as traffic lights. But the LEDs at the time were not very bright. Although they can produce a lot of light, most of them are not trapped inside the device, or they are diverging from the side, and the light is thus lightened. It wasn't until the early 1990s that engineers provided light-emitting diodes with tiny "mirrors" that reflected and guided light to find ways to avoid them. At the same time, the engineers added some tiny holes inside the diode to prevent the light from being trapped.

Butterfly wings - natural light-emitting diodes

When scientists studied the African swallowtail butterfly, they found that there were many similarities between the scaly covering on the wings and the light-emitting diode.

The scaly covering on the butterfly's wings contains tiny structures called "photonic crystals", which are very similar to the micropores in LEDs. In this regard, one of the researchers, the University of Exeter, UK expert Pitt said: "(The scales) can prevent fluorescent light from being trapped inside the scales, while also preventing the light from escaping to the side."

In addition, there is a special "mirror" underneath these scales, which is very similar to the tiny "mirror" in LEDs.

The report said the study was published in the latest issue of Science.