Lessons from nature: biomimetic subwavelength structures for high-performance optics

In nature, optical structures in the subwavelength range have been evolved over millions of years. For example, in the form of ‘moth-eye’ structures they show a strong anti-reflective effect on the compound eyes of night-active insects and therefore offer a successful protection over predators. In t...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: Brunner, Robert (VerfasserIn) , Spatz, Joachim P. (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Article (Journal)
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: 2012
In: Laser & photonics reviews
Year: 2011, Jahrgang: 6, Heft: 5, Pages: 641-659
ISSN:1863-8899
DOI:10.1002/lpor.201100011
Online-Zugang:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lpor.201100011
Verlag, Volltext: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lpor.201100011
Volltext
Verfasserangaben:Robert Brunner, Oliver Sandfuchs, Claudia Pacholski, Christoph Morhard, and Joachim Spatz
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:In nature, optical structures in the subwavelength range have been evolved over millions of years. For example, in the form of ‘moth-eye’ structures they show a strong anti-reflective effect on the compound eyes of night-active insects and therefore offer a successful protection over predators. In this contribution the advantages and challenges to transfer this natural concept of subwavelength structured optical interfaces to high-end optical systems are discussed. Here, in comparison to alternative conventional multilayer systems, the bioinspired anti-reflective structures offer a wide wavelength range and a broad angle dependency. Additionally, adhesion problems are reduced drastically. Simultaneously to the theoretical consideration of the best profile form of the subwavelength structures, appropriate realization technologies have been developed in recent years, where both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been investigated. Depending on the choice of the structuring technique, anti-reflective subwavelength structures are applicable to a wide spectrum of optical elements ranging from micro-optical components to aspheres for applications in imaging and also illumination setups of high-end optical instruments.
Beschreibung:First published: 02 December 2011
Gesehen am 27.09.2018
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISSN:1863-8899
DOI:10.1002/lpor.201100011